It’s also been a long time coming.
The Tem-Cats banged out 13 hits, got a four-hitter from Elisa Espinoza and enjoyed their first error-free effort to down Harker Heights 7-1 on Friday night at Tem-Cat Field.
Having topped Killeen Shoemaker on Tuesday, the Tem-Cats picked up back-to-back victories for the first time this year and put themselves back in the District 13-5A softball race.
“That’s the kind of week we needed,” said Temple first-year coach Steve Prentiss, whose team is 6-14 overall and 2-2 in district. “We wanted to go 2-0 this week and get back on track. The kids responded well. That’s the best two games we’ve had all year.”
Espinoza was rock-steady in the circle, striking out seven batters, walking two and hitting one. The Tem-Cats typically combine Espinoza and Perri Jimenez, but freshman Espinoza was in control.
“We were able to go seven with her,” Prentiss said. “We were ready with two if we needed, but she was cruising.”
The Lady Knights’ Jordan Smith pitched three innings and took the loss, and Miranda Griffin went the final four. Heights is 2-6 and winless in three district games.
Emily Vickery led the Tem-Cats’ hit parade with a pair of doubles. Lauren Guevara and Sofia Padin both contributed a pair of hits in the Tem-Cats’ most productive offensive game of the season.
“We were seeing the ball well,” Prentiss said. “We’ve spent a lot of time in the tunnels hitting. We had some contributions from some who haven’t been hitting much.”
Temple posted its first two runs in the second inning. Vickery started a two-out rally by doubling off the left-field line. Courtney Truelove’s bouncer through the middle scored Vickery. Padin had an infield hit and Truelove scored from second on a throwing error for the 2-0 lead.
Temple added three more in the third, all coming with two outs.
Jordan Valentin led off by beating out a chopper to shortstop. Guevara’s two-out single to right and advancement on a throw put the pair in scoring position. Freshman Brynn Maxfield delivered Valentin and Guevara home by fighting off a Smith pitch just over second base.
Vickery narrowly missed taking one out of the park but still doubled off the fence in left to bring in Maxfield for a 5-0 lead.
The Tem-Cats scratched across two more in the fourth. A Padin hit, a Kaci Scott walk and a Clarissa Villanueva single loaded the bases. Kacie Easley reached on a fielder’s choice and Padin scored on an error. Guevara lifted a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Scott for the final tally.
Heights picked up its only run in the fourth. Griffin roped a two-out double to left. Bridgette Henderson singled to right score Griffin. However, Henderson was pegged out at first on the same sequence when catcher Easley fired to first and got her straying too far from the bag.
Temple’s flawless defense wasn’t without some spectacular moments. Valentin made a diving catch in short center. Villanueva speared a bullet off Jodi Robson’s bat in the first and Maxfield was perfect in a busy night at second.
The Tem-Cats will have a short respite before they travel to Bryan on Thursday for their lone game of the week.
“There won’t be much difference,” Prentiss said. “We’ll come back Tuesday ready to work."
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