Ema Ramirez's walk-off double lifts Laredo United South past San Antonio Incarnate Word

LAREDO, Texas — Laredo United South's first victory of the season came in a dramatic fashion Tuesday night. 

After several back-and-forth innings highlighted by hot bats on both sides, the Panthers found themselves struggling to claw their way back against the San Antonio Incarnate Word Shamrocks late in the game.

Heading into the final frame, United South faced an uphill battle trailing by three runs while down to its final three outs offensively. 

But with their backs against the wall, the Panthers rallied during the bottom of the seventh and strung together five straight hits. An RBI single and an infield error trimmed the Shamrocks' lead to one and brought senior catcher Ema Ramirez up to bat with the bases loaded and one out.

Ramirez ripped a walk-off double into the outfield to score three runs and cap a five-run, seventh-inning rally that gave the Lady Panthers a 14-12 comeback victory over San Antonio Incarnate Word at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex.

“We have to play a little bit better on the defensive side, but luckily we came through in our bats and that is what really helped propel us through this game with a win,” Laredo United South head softball coach Melinda Portillo said. 

“The girls did not give up, no matter what the score read and at the end of it our girls pulled through.”

Samantha Acosta started the game in the circle for Laredo United South and was relived by Serena Sanchez during the fourth inning, who was  credited with the victory. Sanchez allowed five hits and two runs in 3.2 innings of work in the circle while striking out four batters along the way.

Juliana De Luna picked up the loss for San Antonio Incarnate Word and lasted six innings while allowing 13 hits and 14 runs during her time in the circle.

Heading into the final inning, Laredo United South tralied 12-11 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ramirez, a Langston University commit, had bases loaded when she took the opening pitch and ripped a hard double to score three runs, giving Laredo United South the victory.

“When I was on deck I just kept telling myself if I get a base hit I score two runs,” Ramirez said. “The previous at bat the pitcher was throwing me on the inside so I knew that I had to catch it in front. If I caught it behind it was going to be a weak hit.”

Ramirez was the power behind Laredo United South’s offense after going 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, a run scored and four RBI, including three to propel the Lady Panthers to victory.

As a team, Laredo United South banged out 13 hits. Incarnate Word was able to match the Lady Panthers' fire power at the plate, though, with 13 hits of their own. Both team committed five errors on the night.

Ramirez put the Lady Panthers on the scoreboard in the opening inning with a single that scored Andrea Guerrero as Laredo United South led 1-0.

Incarnate Word Academy came back in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead on runs by De Luna, Marybella Martinez and Karina Quilantan.

Laredo United South put together their best inning, scoring five runs as the Lady Panthers banged out three hits and went on a two out rally. Ramirez got things going with a single and was followed with a double by Acosta. A combination of errors and hits gave Laredo United South a 6-3 edge at the end of three innings.

The Shamrocks responded in explosive fashion and scored seven runs on three hits, as Incarnate Word took a 10-6 lead.

The teams were able to trade runs for the next few innings, but it was Incarnate Word that held a 12-9 lead heading into Laredo United South's final at-bats before the Lady Panthers mounted their seventh-inning rally to retake the lead and seal the come-from-behind victory.

United South's lineup tallied a combined six stolen bases and six extra-base hits, including a pivotal pair of doubles by Ramirez and freshman shortstop Gemma Hernandez during the bottom of the seventh.

Hernandez, who came into the game of the bench as pinch hitter, finished the night with a double, a triple, a walk, an RBI and a run scored after three plate appearances.

Laredo United South (1-5) will look to carry its offensive momentum into the weekend, when the Lady Panthers will return to action in the Border Olympics softball tournament in Laredo with games against the San Antonio Cornerstone Warriors (2-4) and the Edinburg North Cougars (4-2) at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.

Incarnate Word (0-8) will look to get in the win column when the Shamrocks compete at the Southwest ISD softball tournament in San Antonio with games against the San Antonio Warren Warriors (4-4) and San Antonio MacArthur Brahmas (4-3) at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Check out SBLive's exclusive photo gallery from the game:

PHOTO GALLERY — LAREDO UNITED SOUTH 14, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY 12

All photos by Clara Sandoval