Sultans de-claw Wildcats; Highlanders clip Hawks; Vaqueros stun Tigers

By ECS Staff
Updated: April 21, 2017

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

Non-League

Santana 7, Brawley 0 – The Sultans score early and the defense and pitching does the rest in procuring the non-league victory over the Wildcats.

Santana in the bottom of the first struck the first blow as MACKENZIE BENNETT (2-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B) walked with one out, CASSIDY MATTHIE (2-3, 2R, 2 RBI, HR) lined to left, RACHEL WILSON (1-3, R) walked to load the bases, KRYSTEN SERVICE (1-3, RBI) hit a ball to short that went for a single and scored Bennett to make it 1-0, NICOLE MADRIGAL (1-3, RBI) knocked in Matthie to make it 2-0 on a single and SHELBY HOLMQUIST (RBI) hit a fly ball that Wilson tagged on and scored to make it 3-0.

MADISISON MENDEZ in the circle wasn’t letting the Wildcats do anything as she was able to mow them down one by one with the help of the defense.

Things went the Sultans way in the bottom of the fifth as Bennett again walked with one down, ERICA REID (1-1, R) in to run, up stepped Matthie and on a 1-2 count she took the offering and just crushed it over the center field fence for the 2-run bomb to extend the lead 5-0.

Santana again in the bottom of the sixth came alive as Reid singled to lead off, BRITTANY MUNDAY (RUN) hit a ball back to the pitcher that was misplayed and was able to reach on the error, Reid advanced to second, ASHLEY MADRIGAL hit a ball to the third baseman but both runners were able to advance, Mendez hit a ball to second who threw it home as Reid was coming into to try and score and the catcher was able to closely apply the tag for the out, BRIANNA JERIG (RUN) into run for Mendez, Bennett on a 2-0 count smashed a double that scored both Munday and Jerig to push the lead 7-0.

Mendez in the top of the seventh retired the Wildcats in order 1-2-3 to end the ballgame and finish off the victory.

On the day she went 7 innings, giving 0 runs on 2 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3.

El Capitan 3, Imperial 1 – Both teams deadlocked each other inning for inning until the Vaqueros pushed across the final blow late in the game.

The Vaqueros in the great fashion of dramatics in the last at bat were able to claim the victory thanks to a 2-run blast by MARIA LOTTA.

Helix catcher McKenzie Flores awaits a pitch Thursday afternoon.

Helix 11, SFC 5 – Early opportunities lead to victory for the Highlanders on the road.

Helix in the top of the first with two outs got it going as EMILY COALE singled and stole second base, she scored when MCKENZIE FLORES smoked a triple to make it 1-0. She scored to push the lead 2-0 on a RBI ground out by GABBY OLIVARRIA.

The Hawks of SFC had an opportunity to cut into the lead in the bottom of the first but Helix was able to escape as SHAREENA LACHANCE induced an inning ending double play.

More runs in the top of the third for Helix extended their lead. Coale led off with a single, moved to second a passed ball and scored on a single by Flores. A double by Olivarria brought home Flores. The final run came when ERIN BROWN hit a ball in the infield that scored Olivarria.

Helix added 6 more runs but only would need one of them when it came to procuring the victory. Santa Fe Christian blooped three straight singles in the bottom of the seventh to bring the score semi-close but LaChance ended everything as she got the final out.

Coale finished 3-5 with a double, scored 3 runs, drove in a run and swiped 2 bases.

City-Western League

Cathedral Catholic 11, Patrick Henry 5 – The Dons came a blasting as they easily handled the high flying Patrick Henry offense on the day.

Cathedral Catholic who is ranked No. 1 in San Diego County got things going in the second innings scoring a run to lead 1-0. They scored another run in the top of the third to lead 2-0 and three runs in the top of the fourth highlighted by a three run homer to lead 5-0 after three innings of play.

The No. 8 Patriots couldn’t get the bats going early but had an opportunity in the bottom of the fourth as LAILA SPRACKLEN (1-2) and HANNAH MCEWEN (3-4, R, RBI, 2 2B) both singled but the threat would be squashed by MEGAN FARAIMO to end the inning.

Cathedral Catholic would score six runs over the sixth and seventh innings to round out their scoring and lead 11-0.

Patrick Henry could do very little and avoided the shutout as they were finally able to break through and push across some runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Leadoff batter LILI PENA (RUN) walked, ARIANA RIOS advanced Pena to second on a ground ball, McEwen smashed a double that scored Pena to make it 11-1, CASSIE VAN TIL (1-4, R, RBI) laced a single that scored McEwen to make it 11-2 and CRISTIONA CACCAMISE (1-4, RBI, 3B) roped a ball that went for a triple that scored Van Til to make it 11-3. However the Patriots couldn’t keep it going as Faraimo got the last out.

Also for the Patriots ANDREA WRIGHT went 2-4 in the game.

On the day the Dons pounded out 16 hits including 2 homeruns.

MADISON JAMES took the loss as she tossed 5 1/3 innings, giving up 7 runs on 13 hits and striking out 8. H JENKS came into relieve and tossed 1 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs on 3 hits, walked 2 and struck out 1.