Self-belief is contagious.

The mindset was ever so evident during the Prowlers potential season-altering win on March 18 in a home game against 15th ranked Seminole.

The unranked Prowlers, who had lost three of their last four games heading into Friday’s contest, didn’t look anything like a slumping a team in their second district outing of the season.

Fort Stockton jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning via six hits, including two by Pioneer Athlete of the Week Dmaya Vaughn, and held on down the stretch to secure an 8-7 win.

“I believe this was the biggest win of the season so far. Seminole is one of the top teams we have played all season and to go out and beat them was huge,” Prowlers first-year head coach Darrian Roberson said.

Seminole’s rally began in the third frame with an 8-0 deficit in hand for the Maidens.

Seminole plated two runs in the third inning, one in the fifth, and four in the sixth to make it an 8-7 game heading into the last frame.

“The drastic difference in this game from others is that the girls never laid over when Seminole came back on us. They kept telling each other “one thing at a time!” In previous games, the girls tended to crumble once teams started to get a rally on us. That showed huge growth in the girl’s confidence and that they believe in themselves,” Roberson added.

Adree Bueno was Fort Stockton’s starting pitcher and the junior threw four innings before being relieved by Kriselda Porras in the next two frames.

Bueno was brought back on the mound for the final inning, forcing two groundouts and a flyout to end the contest. The upperclassman ended the game with one strikeout, four walks, and three hits allowed.

Roberson noted that Bueno exemplified the selfbelief of her team and encouragement to continue it throughout the game.

“What stood out to me the most is the way my upperclassmen reacted to the underclassmen. Adree Bueno was a huge motivator for freshman Kriselda Porras while she was on the mound. She kept hyping her up and talking to her to keep her calm and to keep her in belief that she can do it,” she said. “My upperclassmen in the dugout were good motivators as well with the underclassmen going up to bat.”

At the plate, seven Fort Stockton batters tallied 10 hits, paced by Vaughn’s three and Alyana Dominguez’s two.

Mia Garcia, Bueno, Lopez, Porras, and Kaylee Soto scratched out one hit apiece for the Prowlers.

Roberson explained that the win can lead the Prowlers down the path they want if they maintain belief and continue to strive to be their best.

“The girls proved to themselves that if they just work hard and not give up they can overcome adversity and defeat the teams that people believe they can’t beat,” she said.

Greenwood runrules Fort Stockton

The Prowlers continued their trend of starting fast on March 22 at Greenwood.

But the rally by the Rangerettes proved to be far more damaging than the Maidens comeback attempt last week.

Greenwood plated 11 runs in the fourth inning, turning a 6-3 Fort Stockton lead into a 14-6 deficit by the end of the frame. The Rangerettes tacked on six more runs in the fifth inning to end the game via mercy with a 20-8 win over Fort Stockton.

The 20 runs allowed by Prowlers was twice as many as their previous season-high mark.

Greenwood outhit Fort Stockton 16-8 and committed no errors to the Prowler’s two.

The Rangerettes had three hits going into the fourth inning before the Prowlers allowed eight hits, including two home runs, in the frame.

Natalie Magallanes hit both home runs for Greenwood in the fourth inning.

Porras got the start on the mound for the Prowlers. The freshman allowed five hits, four walks, and eight runs before Bueno provided relief for one inning. Bueno allowed nine hits, 10 runs, and one walk.

Aryanna Gonzalez closed the game with two allowed hits.

The Prowlers were led at the plate by Ivanna Ortiz and Dominguez, who had two hits apiece.

Fort Stockton’s season record falls to 9-9 with the loss and 1-2 with district play.

Up next on Friday, March 25 is a home game against Andrews.

PROWLERS SOFTBALL RECORD

RECORD: 9-9

Feb. 15 @ Presidio Win (15-2)

Feb. 17 vs. McCamey Win

Feb. 17 vs. Sonora Win

Feb. 19 vs. Riverside Loss

Feb. 19 vs. Pecos Win (6-3)

Feb. 19 vs. McCamey Win

Feb. 22 vs. Kermit Win (17-4)

March 1 @ Presidio Loss (2-0)

March 3 Brownfield Loss (7-3)

March 3 River Road Loss (5-2)

March 3 Plainview Loss (9-1)

March 4 Shallowater Win (6-2)

March 4 Dumas Loss (10-2)

March 4 Palo Duro Win (12-0)

March 12 Midland Loss (10-0)

March 15 vs. Monahans Loss (9-6)

March 18 vs. Seminole Win (8-7)

March 22 @ Greenwood Loss (20-8)