Deer Park Cougars kickoff Gabby Romero Tournament with pool game win

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (October 3, 2020) The Deer Park Cougars 12U softball team kicked off the Gabby Romero Memorial Tournament with a 1-1 record in pool play at Burke Crenshaw Park in Pasadena, Texas with a 1-1 record in pool play. After dropping a 8-3 decision to the Pasadena Element in their first game of pool play, the Cougars rallied back to down the Deepwater Explosion by the score of 7-6.

Against Deepwater, the Cougars trailed after the first inning when the Explosion scored two runs in the bottom of the inning, after failing to score. Deer Park rallied back in the second inning, scoring five runs to take a 5-2 lead in the top of the second. Deepwater regained the lead in the bottom of the second; scoring four runs, with the Cougars trailing by one going into the third inning. Deer Park was able to score the tying and go ahead runs in the third inning to secure the win.

The Cougars bats were hot against Deepwater, with shortstop Keira Jennings and third baseman Kirstin Kelly connecting for thiples and right fielder Hayley Poe and pitcher Jordyn Halik hitting doubles. Catcher Maddie Farmer led Deer Park with two stolen bases, with Poe and MA Minor adding one each to the Cougars' total. Kelly recorded two RBI in the game, the most for both teams. 

Seven players scored single runs for the Cougars; including second baseman Zayda Jauregui, center fielder Arianny Cantu, Farmer, Minor, Jenkins, Halik, and Poe. Designated player/right field Paige Taylor reached base twice and advanced runners into scoring position to aid in the offensive effort for Deer Park. On the mound, Halik saw faced 14 batters, throwing 48 pitches, with 19 of them for strikes; in addition to striking out two and walking four.

The Cougars are coached by Larry King, Hillary Williams, and Dale Yurt.