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LAREDO, Texas - Laredo United South softball coach Melinda Portillo always preaches to her team the importance of being resilient when things look grim. On Friday the Lady Panthers fell behind 5-2 in a key District 30-6A softball game as Laredo Alexander scored three unanswered runs in the fourth inning.

The Lady Panthers dug deep and scored 13 unanswered runs to beat Laredo Alexander in five innings 15-5 at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex. Laredo United South remains perfect in district play at 3-0. Laredo Alexander falls to 1-1.

“We are excited to be 3-0 and bring that back to (United) South and just represent our school, represent our community and the biggest thing is represent, and it is a family here,” Portillo said. “Everyone is doing their job from the dugout to the plate, to the defense, to the pitching circle.”

Serena Sanchez picked up the victory with 4 1/3 of innings of work. Samantha Acosta came on in relief and allowed one hit and no runs. Laredo Alexander senior Krista Gamez took the loss.

The Lady Panthers outhit Alexander 15-5. United South had 10 different players score runs.

Leadoff batter Anitza Gutierrez and Sanchez led the way at the plate, going 3 for 4, while Kasy Vasquez, Acosta, and Isabella Galicia were all 2 for 4.

Laredo Alexander took an early after lead-off batter Samantha Arce got on base then advanced to second and third on wild pitches. Gamez ripped a single to score Arce and give the Lady Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Laredo United South tied the game at 1-1 after Gutierrez got on board on a bunt single, then scored on a fielder’s choice. They took a 2-1 lead when Sanchez ripped a double and her courtesy runner, Maria Servenio, scored on a double by Aimee Benavides (1 for 3).

Laredo Alexander rallied back adding a run in the fourth inning by Carmen Perez to knot up the score at 2-2. Kayla Herrera ignited a three-run fourth inning rally by Laredo Alexander, ripping a line drive and reaching base on an error. Herrera eventually scored on a double by Gamez to give Laredo Alexander a 3-2 lead. The Lady Bulldogs added two more insurance runs to take a 5-2 lead at the end of the fifth inning.

Down three runs, Laredo United South strung together their best at-bats of the night. The Lady Panthers loaded the bases on three consecutive hits, then Isabella Galicia strolled to the plate and ripped a three-run double. They piled it on from there, rolling to a 15-5 victory. 

“It has been our mission and our goal to play hard no matter what and never give up, especially after having of the majority of our team back from last year,” Portillo said. “We are just excited, and we want to go out there and play our best. The girls are definitely gaining that confidence that they were lacking last year and with the experience these girls have now we are just running with it. We are going to keep on riding the wave as long as we can.”

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