Highlanders take down Conquistadors in home opener
- Updated: March 7, 2018
Helix bats against Serra on Tuesday.
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
By Adam Paul
EastCountySports.com
LA MESA (3-6-18) – The Helix Highlanders had their first home game of the season today as part of the Monte Vista Gold Classic and they were able to claim a 7-3 victory over Serra.
The Conquistadors would actually strike first as they were able to push a run across in the top of the first inning to lead 1-0.
However, that slim lead didn’t last long as the Highlanders behind a two-out walk from McKenzie Flores (1-3, R) and a two-run jack by sophomore Loralai Patane (3-3, R, 3 RBI, HR) to give Helix a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The blast was Patane’s first career varsity home run.
More runs for the Highlanders came in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a single by pitcher Zoe Kuhlken (1-3) with one out, Alyssa Cruz (RUN) came into run and she would be sacrificed to second, Alofa Collins (2-3, 2 R) followed with a single which moved Cruz to third and Collins advanced to second on the throw, they both would come into score on the single by Avery Perez with two outs.
Helix would add a couple more in the fourth and also another run in the sixth to round out their scoring.
Kuhlken would garner her second victory on the season as she tossed a complete game, giving up 3 runs of which 1 was earned on 5 hits while striking out 2.
