Pitcher Laura Castillo struck out 11 batters while throwing a no-hitter against Hebbronville as the Lady Badger varsity softball team squashed the Longhorns 10-0 in five innings and clinched the District 32-2A title on Wednesday. Bishop had an unblemished league record (9-0) going into their finale against Riviera- Kaufer this past Friday. (Photo by Rey Sifuentes Jr.) Either Laura Castillo’s pitches were too fast or Hebbronville’s bats were too slow as the hurler threw a five-inning no-hitter and Bishop High School’s varsity softball team tore through the Longhorns 10-0 and won the District 32-2A title on Wednesday. Castillo’s pitches maintained their velocity and smacked into Catcher Marina Barrera’s glove a fraction of a second before Longhorn batters completed their swings.

Haleigh Rodriguez started things off with a single, in the first inning, and later reached second through a bunt by Tori Geryk. Rodriguez and Geryk came home on a double by Barbara Escobar who made it to third base off of an error. Castillo then batted in Escobar and Bishop led 3-0 after the first frame.

Escobar was walked in the third inning and advanced to each successive base then all the way home during off target pitches. The Lady Badgers took advantage as Hebbronville came undone in the fifth inning. A double by Escobar scored Geryk while the Lady Longhorns dropped a fly at center field. Escobar later scored through yet another errant pitch. Bishop loaded the bases and scored their next run when Barrera was walked and Castillo came in from third. Rodriguez closed the show with a double bringing in Amy Zuniga, Dominique Zamora and Barrera at which point the game ceased because of the 10-run rule.

Head Coach Magda Leal- Vera said her squad enjoyed wining the league pennant outright as opposed to sharing it with Riviera-Kaufer in 2009.

“We made a decision early on that we did not want to share the title this time and they have done a great job on defense,” Vera said. “We haven’t been hitting the ball as well as I’d like, but we have managed to get the hits and runs when we have needed them most. We just need to improve on getting more hits in a row and not scattering them out.”

Vera also applauded her one-two pitching combo of Castillo and Chelsea Guzman

“I have two pitchers this year and both of them are doing very well,” Vera said.

Castillo’s no-hitter was her fourth game back from an injury she suffered weeks ago

“It’s still hurting, so I am just taking it one game at a time just hoping for the best and seeing what we can do,” Castillo said. “This (winning district outright) is a lot sweeter, sharing it with Riviera last year was not fun at all especially after losing to them twice.”

Also on the team this season are Kasey Cavazos, Alyssa Zuniga, Ari Alvarez and Alex Sanchez.