9th Mules vs. Levelland (8-27-2015)

9th Mules vs. Levelland (8-27-2015)

The freshmen Mules hosted the class 4-A Levelland Lobos and the two teams played to a dead heat Thursday in Benny Douglas Stadium. The Mules never led during the contest but battled to a 22-22 tie. 

The Mules attempted an onside kick to start the game but the Lobos recovered on the Levelland 46. Five plays later the Lobos were in the end zone, scoring on a 31-yard scamper up the middle with 6:41 remaining in the first period. 

The Lobo two-point conversion attempt failed when Ean Hasley tackled the receiver short of the goal line. Levelland led the Mules 6-0.

The Mules returned the ensuing Lobo kickoff to the Mule 25.  It was one-play-all-the-way for the Mules. Jorge Albarran took a pitch wide right 75-yards for the Mules’ first score just eight seconds after the Lobos had scored. 

The Mules failed to add the extra points and the score was tied at 6-6 with 6:33 left in the opening quarter. 

Levelland returned the favor by scoring of the first play following the Mule kick off. Levelland returned the kick to the Lobo 35. A 65-yard pass and run put the Lobos back in the Mule end zone. The two-point conversion was good and the Lobos led 14-6 with 6:21 still on the clock in the first quarter. 

Both teams’ defense took over and the teams battled up and down the field until late in the second period. 

The Lobos had taken over on downs near midfield and picked up a first down at the Mule 39. Ryan Rodriguez stepped in front of a tipped pass and returned 60 yards for a Mule defensive touchdown. 

Rodriguez scampered wide left for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 14-14 with 1:19 remaining in the first half.

The Lobos scored next with 2:46 left in the third quarter and added the two-point conversion to take a 22-14 advantage. 

Jacob Deleon returned the ensuing kickoff nine-yards to the Mule 29. Izaiah Hurtado took a pitch wide left for a 22-yard gain. Albarran scooted 20-yards up the middle on a draw play to the Lobo 26. 

Rodriguez reached the corner and cut up field for 10 yards. Albarran pounded up the middle on back-to-back plays to the Lobo two-yard line. Hurtado scooted left for the final two yards for a Mule touchdown with only one-and-a-half seconds remaining in the third period. 

Luke Del Toro connected with Yoel Reyes with a wide-receiver screen pass for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 22-22. 

Late in the final period the Lobos mounted a 14-play drive. The Mule defense was up to the task of stopping the Lobos. 

The Lobos were facing fourth down and needed nine yards for a touchdown. Both teams took a time out before the Lobos completed a pass for a first down at the Mule one-yard line. A motion penalty cost the Lobos five yards with 30 seconds remaining in the game. 

Hurtado managed to knock down a Lobo pass in the end zone. The clock stopped with 22 seconds showing. Rocky Martinez plugged a hole in the Lobo line on fourth down to make the tackle at the Mule seven. 

The Mules only had 13 seconds to work with and could not score. 

The schedule gets no easier for the Mules. The Sweetwater Mustangs will visit the Mules Thursday evening at 5:00 PM.   

2015 Mule Preview (8-24-2015)

2015 Mule Preview (8-24-2015)

The summer of 2015 has flown by for students, teachers, administrators and football coaches all of the great state of Texas. School officially started on Monday but the Mules have been officially at work for almost two weeks preparing for the 2015 season.

But the Mules have been working out on their own all summer lifting weights, running, doing agility drills and passing the football.

Excitement has been building all over Muleshoe with the month of August bringing that excitement to a peak with the two Mule scrimmages giving the fans their first real look at any changes the Mules may be making.

The Mules traveled to Idalou to scrimmage the Wildcats August 14 and hosted the Seminole Indians August 20. The Mules scored more times than both the Wildcats and Indians. That always makes the fans feel good their team.

The Mules’ head coach, David Wood, and his staff are the only ones that are really equipped to determine how the Mules actually fared. Coach Wood would say, “We were mostly pleased with how the kids performed. We are always watching for team chemistry as we rotate players in these scrimmages.”

“But at the end of the day these scrimmages are really just another practice for us.”

The Levelland Lobos will be a real test again this year for the Mules in their opening game Friday in Levelland’s new stadium.

“We are looking forward to Friday night and get the season under way,” continued Coach Wood. “The last two years, the out come of those contests came down to the final minute of the game. Levelland won in 2013 but the Mules took the 2014 game.”

“This year should be no different and should prove to be another very exciting night.”     

Lady Mules Softball All-District (6-1-2015)

Lady Mules Softball All-District (6-1-2015)

The District 2-3A softball coaches met to chose the 2015 All-District Team. After the Lady Mules defeated the Shallowater Fillies twice in one week to claim the number one seed for the Texas State Softball Playoffs the Lady Mules received much more respect.

“We were so young when the season started,” said Lady Mule coach Erin White. “We knew we would have a lot of fun but they really came together behind the leadership provided by our seniors.”

“I am very proud of this team and how the other coaches took notice of what our girls could do. We will miss our three seniors but are looking forward to next season.”

The Lady Mules placed a total of nine players on the elite squad with seven being on the first team.

Mireya Ruvalcaba, a sophomore, was chose as one of the Co-Most Valuable Players for the district and was the heart of the Lady Mule infield at shortstop. She had 95 chances to make a play, made 44 assists, 43 put outs, was involved in three double plays, committed eight errors for a fielding percentage of .916 on the season.

Ruvalcaba had 18 singles, four doubles and one triple. She had 11 runs batted in, scored 25 times, was hit by a pitch twice, walked 11 times and struck out 16 for a season batting average of .371 and an on base percentage of .474.

The Lady Mule battery of Miranda De Bruin and Adrianna Loya both made the first team and are both seniors.

De Bruin pitched 104 innings, gave up 173 hits, 127 runs, walked 45 batters, struck out 68 batters and hit seven batters. She had a fielding percentage of .812 with 19 assists, seven put outs, made six errors and started one double play.

At the plate De Bruin had 14 singles, six doubles and two home runs. She had 19 runs batted in, scored nine runs, walked six times and was hit by a pitch twice. De Bruin struck out nine times for a batting average of .344 and had an on base percentage of .411.

A. Loya made 15 assists on defense, had 74 put outs, made six errors, involved in three double plays for a fielding percentage of .937. She had 17 singles, five doubles brought home nine runners, scored 24 runs, was hit once, walked 12 times and struck out seven times for a batting average of .379 and an on base percentage of .486.

Gabi Chavez, a senior, was the Lady Mules first baseman was named to the first team. She made 15 defensive assists, had 74 put outs, made six errors, was involved in three double plays for a fielding percentage of .937.

Chavez recorded 12 singles, two doubles, brought home 10 Lady Mule base runners and scored 13 runs. She was hit by a pitch four times, walk 12, struck out 13 times for a batting average of .288 and had an on base percentage of .456.

Reagan Reynolds and Leti Loya, both sophomores, made the first team as outfielders.

Reynolds had one assist on defense, 24 put outs, made two errors for a fielding percentage of .926. She hit 10 singles, two doubles, brought home 11 Lady Mules, scored 11 runs, was hit by a pitch once, walked seven times and struck out 13 for a batting average of .261 and had an on base percentage of .357.

L. Loya made nine assists, had 18 put outs, made eight errors for a fielding percentage of .771. She had three singles, two doubles, five triples and two home runs, one of which provided the Lady Mules with their winning run in the seeding game. L. Loya brought home 15 runners, scored 17 runs, was hit by a pitch three times, walked seven and struck out 16 times for a batting average of .211 and an on base percentage of .328.

Brittney Mendoza, a sophomore, was chosen to the first team as the utility play as she played numerous positions for the Lady Mules during the season. She made 32 assists, had 30 put outs, made nine errors was involved in three double plays for a fielding percentage of .873.

Mendoza hit 11 singles, two doubles, knocked in 14 Lady Mules, scored seven runs, was hit by a pitch six times, drew nine walks, struck out 13 times for a batting average of .283 and had an on base percentage of .459.

Crystal Flores, a sophomore, was named to the second team as an infielder. She made seven assists, had 12 put outs, committed six errors for a fielding percentage of .760. She had four singles, one double, had eight RBIs, scored four runs, walked three times and struck out 10 for a .286 batting average and .526 on base percentage.

Sasha Esparza, a junior, was picked to the second team outfield. She made two assists and 14 put outs for a fielding percentage of .800. She singled six times, had eight doubles, one triple and one home run for 14 RBIs, scored 14 runs, walked 10 times and struck out 11 for a batting average of .296 and an on base percentage of .400.  

Mules vs. Littlefield Regional Quarter Finals (5-22 & 23-2015)

Mules vs. Littlefield Regional Quarter Finals (5-22 & 23-2015)

The Mules historic 2015 baseball playoff run came to an end with a big assist from Mother Nature this past weekend. The teams had flipped a coin for the type of field to be used and the Mules won the toss. Two of the possible three games were to be played on the Levelland’s Lobo Field and one game was scheduled for Roughneck Diamond in Sundown.

Lobo Field is a total grass field similar to the Mules’ home field while Roughneck Diamond has a turf infield and grass outfield like the Wildcats’ home field.

The first game was scheduled for Friday in Sundown. Heavy downpours in Levelland rendered Lobo Field unplayable so the flip was mute and Littlefield had the advantage despite losing the flip.

Mother Nature was not finished with her tricks on the Mules. The score was tied at 4-4 going into the seventh inning Friday evening when fog began to roll onto Roughneck Diamond.

Wes Clarkson lofted a two-out fly ball to right field that the Wildcat right fielder appeared to lose in the fog. Dustin Smith hit a fly to left field that was caught and ended the Mule threat.

The fog continued to steam roll onto the field between and during the bottom of the last inning. A high fly to left field was completely lost in the fog and scored the Wildcats winning run.

The 5-4 loss seemed to rip the heart from the Mules and Saturday’s game also went Littlefield’s way 18-7.

Braden Bessire’s bat continued to sizzle in the series. He blasted a one-out double down the left field line in the first inning of Friday’s opener. Clarkson singled to right center field to score Bessire.

Smith singled to right field to move Clarkson to second base and Pancho Elizalde drove a line drive to the fence in right field to score Clarkson and give the Mules an early 2-0 lead.

Littlefield was allowed to score a run on an error by the umpires when the infield-fly rule was not invoked timely and confusion resulted. Clarkson gunned down a Wildcat attempting to steal home in the confusion. Nathan Rejino applied the tag.

Bryce Mauricio drew a four-pitch walk to start the top of the second inning and he stole second base. Mauricio scored on a triple to the right field fence by Bessire. The Mules led 3-1 after two complete innings.

Littlefield scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-3 lead over the Mules.

Jason Florez reached on a fielder’s choice in the top of the fourth inning. Florez went to second on a single to left field by Danny Campos. Florez stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center field by Bessire. The game was tied 4-4.

The Mules struggled to get the defense working and Littlefield score four runs in the top of the first inning.

Mauricio led off with a four-pitch walk in the bottom of the first inning. Bessire’s only home run in his high school career came on the second pitch he saw Saturday. There was no doubt where the ball was going when it left the bat and screamed over the left field fence.

Smith singled up the middle and stole second base. Felipe Guerrero was hit by a pitch and Grey Johnson laid down a sacrifice bunt back to the pitcher that moved Smith to third. Smith scored on a base hit to left by Nathan Rejino. The Mules had trimmed the Wildcat lead to 4-3.

The Cats added two runs in the top of the second inning and four in the top of the third to lead the Mules 10-3 going into the bottom of the third inning.

Guerrero doubled to left to start the bottom of the third inning. Rejino took the count full, fouled off two pitches before walking. An error on the first baseman allowed Guerrero and Rejino to both score. The Mule had cut the lead to 10-5.

The Mules cut one more from the Littlefield lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with Bessire blasting a lead-off double to centerfield. He scored on an error by the third baseman.

Littlefield again took the offensive with two runs in the top of the fifth inning and one in the top of the sixth.

Smith lined a two-out single to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning. Clarkson followed with a single to almost the same spot. Pancho Elizalde single to right field to load the bases. Smith scored on a passed ball for the Mules seventh and final run.

Athletic Banq Continued

Athletic Banq Continued

Power Lifting coach, Kirk Byrd, introduced the Lady Mule power lifters as they came to the stage. Ruby Andrade, Brianna Barron, Daniella Cortez, Jaida Gandarilla, Noa Rojas and Brianna Velasquez. Most of these young ladies medaled in at least one meet this season.

The Mule power lifters also had a successful year with David Rodriguez setting a new squat lift record of 605 pounds. Francisco Elizalde, Dominick Hasley, Carlos Hernandez, Ceasar Olivares and Blake Parker joined Rodriguez on stage.

The regional qualifiers for 2015 were Brianna Barron, David Rodriguez and Evan Paez. These three lifters placed fifth at the regional meet and received a medal in their weight class.

The Girl Powerlifting MVP was Brianna Barron and the Boy Powerlifting MVP was David Rodriguez.

The 2015 Mule and Lady Mule Golf teams were introduced next by their coach, Carey Sudduth. Conner Harrison had two solid rounds during the District 2-3A golf meets to win his second Individual District Championship.

Harrison played in the Region I tournament in Abilene and earned some valuable experience for another run at the state tournament next year.

The Lady Mule earned medals in two invitational tournaments and finished second in the district to earn the Lady Mules a trip to the Region I Tournament in Abilene. They placed eighth out of 16 teams and each girl on the team shot at least one round that was their personal best score.

The Boys Golf Award went to Conner Harrison and the Girls Golf Awards went to Sadie Sudduth with her Low Score at District. Sydnie Sudduth took the Low Score at Regional Award.

The Varsity Tennis Team was invited to the stage by MHS Tennis coach, Jody Wood. The team competed in four tournaments during the season and at the District 2-3A Tournament the team brought home three bronze medals.

Jesse Leal won the bronze in Boys Singles. Gloria Gonzalez and Imelda Salcido won bronze in Girls Doubles. Denisse Ramirez and Aaryn Ross won bronze in Mixed Doubles.

The Tennis Achievement Awards went to Braden Bessire and Kayla Preston. The Tennis MVP Award went to Jesse Leal.

Lady Mule Track coach Benjie Jay invited the Lady Mule track team to come forward. Seven girls qualified for the Area Track Meet held in Tulia. Following the Area Meet was completed four girls had qualified in two events for the Region I Meet in Abilene.

Ruby Andrade ran in the 400-meter dash and the 4x400-meter relay composed of Blanca Ramirez, Conley Niblett, Jazmin Arellano and Ruby Andrade.

The Newcomer of the Year Award went to Conley Niblett. The Workhorse Award was presented to Blanca Ramirez. The Most Improved Award was given to Jazmin Arellano. The Most Outstanding Award was earned by Daniella Diaz. The Most Valuable 2015 Track Athlete Award was presented to Ruby Andrade.

The Mule Track team joined coaches Byrd and Wood on the stage. The Mule Area Qualifiers were Francisco Elizalde, Aaryn Ross, Josh Lopez, Jesse Easily, Bryce Mauricio, Danny Campos, Tre Villa, Cesar Olvera, Jesse Leal, Evan Paez and Cristian Paez. Cristian Paez was the lone Mule to qualify for the Region I Meet.

The Best in Field Events Award went to Cesar Olvera. The Most Improved Runner Award was presented to Danny Campos. The Workhorse Award was earned by Evan Paez. The Track MVP Award was presented to Cristian Paez.

Lady Mule Softball coach, Erin White brought the Lady Mule softball team to the stage. The Lady Mules had won 20 consecutive district games before losing to Shallowater. But the Lady Mules battled back to defeat Shallowater 7-4 in their final district contest to earn a Co-District Championship.

The Lady Mules also defeated Shallowater 4-3 in a seeding game with Leti Loya hitting a home run for the win.

The Golden Glove Award went to Gabi Chavez. The Heart and Hustle Awards is given to a player that best embodies the values, spirits and traditions of the game. The Heart and Hustle went to the Lady Mule dynamic duo, Miranda De Bruin and Adriana Loya. The Softball MVP Award was presented to Mireya Ruvalcaba.    

The Mule Baseball team was recognized but no awards were presented as the team was still engaged in post season games.