No. 23 Lady Apaches beat La Vernia in district opener

The Gonzales Lady Apaches rallied from behind in a 12-8 win over the La Vernia Lady Bears in the home district opener Tuesday, March 12.

The Lady Apaches entered the fourth inning trailing La Vernia, 5-0; Gonzales entered the game with a three-game losing streak to the Lady Bears in district as their last win against them was in April 2021.

The bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth as Ava Carrizales, Kelly Breitschopf and Sidney McCray recorded RBI hits to make it a one-run game, but the biggest RBIs came from senior Dakota Schmidt with a bases-loaded triple in the bottom of the fifth.

“It was really great, especially against this team that we've never beaten before. I think this year we've really grown as a team and it's just been really good,” Schmidt said.

The Lady Apaches remained claim and confident throughout the game, and Breitschopf said they used what they learned from practice to not get scared or nervous.

Second year head softball coach Michelle Uribe was proud of her team’s come-from-behind win and getting the first district win of the season.

“It is important because now you're not trying to dig yourself out of a hill. We're starting on top. We're gonna keep it rolling next Tuesday with Memorial and see how much further we can take it from there,” Uribe said.

Uribe said the bats coming alive was incredibly timely.

“We've been talking about having those big innings and the games that we won and have been on top. That's what we're doing, having those big innings, getting those key hits and those key moments and so it's really coming together,” Uribe said.

The Lady Apaches will close out non-district play against Weimar Thursday, March 14 on the road.

“We've already played Weimar, so we're confident going into the game, but we just have to stay strong at practice and do our best,” Breitschopf said.

The Lady Apaches will resume district play on the road Tuesday, March 19 against San Antonio Memorial.

First pitch for the Weimar game is set for 7:30 p.m. and Memorial game starts at 6 p.m.