HILLS: Sultans have surprise for Pack
- Updated: April 12, 2018
The Santana Sultans after defeating West Hills on Wednesday.
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
By Adam Paul
EastCountySports.com
GROSSMONT HILLS LEAGUE
SANTANA 5, WEST HILLS 0
In an interesting move the Santana Sultans (13-3, 1-0) started freshman Joey Barkhimer in place of Florida International University commit Madison Mendez against league foe and rival the West Hills Wolf Pack (7-5, 0-1).
The move paid off for the Sultans ranked No.8 in San Diego as Barkhimer dazzled in her pitching debut in the Mayor’s Cup trophy game. On the day Barkhimer tossed a complete game 7 inning 1 hit shutout while walking 3 and striking out 6 in the Grossmont Hills league victory against West Hills who came into the game ranked No. 19.
Taking the loss for the Wolf Pack was Carly Bursch who allowed five runs on six hits over seven innings of work while also striking out 9 on the day.
Offensively both teams held each other in check and it wouldn’t be until the top of the sixth when the Sultans capitalized. Both Natalie Sims and Krysten Service drew back-to-back walks and both would advance up on an overthrow by West Hills. Next up for the Sultans was Mendez who took the very first offering and blasted it over the left field fence for the three run homerun.
Madison Mendez of Santana after they beat West Hills 5-0. @SoCalSidelines @b_surp https://t.co/IJXwAbP7Nn
— EC Preps (@EC_Preps_SD) April 12, 2018
Leading 3-0 the Sultans with two outs would tack on another run thanks to a Ashley Madrigal solo homerun to left which made it 4-0.
Santana would add another run in the top of the seventh inning with two outs as Sims lined a single to center which was followed by a roped double by Service to score her.
West Hills would finally break up the no-hitter by Barkhimer in the bottom of the seventh inning when Star Gaylord singled up the middle.
Joey Barkhimer after tossing a 1 hitter in the 5-0 victory over rival West Hills @SoCalSidelines @b_surp https://t.co/6HU8eCZICX
— EC Preps (@EC_Preps_SD) April 12, 2018
On the day Mendez went 2 for 4 with a double, homerun and three RBI and also scored a run, Sims went 2 for 2 while scoring two runs, Krysten Service went 1 for 3 and drove in a run and also scored a run and had a double, Ashley Madrigal went 1 for 3 with a homerun, a run scored and also had an RBI.
STEELE CANYON 9, GROSSMONT 0
It was all Grace Richter and Cougars as she only allowed five hits on the day in the complete game shutout victory.
The offense did their part starting in the top of the second inning thanks to a two run single by Jazmin Alvarado (1-4, 2 RBI) that scored both Amanda Whipple (R, RBI) and Elizabeth Bott (1-2, R) to make it 2-0.
Steele Canyon added more runs in the top of the third inning thanks to hits by Maggie Carpenter (2-3, R, 2B), Bianca Morales (2-6, 2R, RBI, HR) and Tayler Thomas (3-3, R) to load the bases, Whipple followed with a sacrifice fly to score Carpenter, a couple batters later DJ Dumeng laced a single that scored Morales making it 4-0, Alvarado roped a ball to right field that was misplayed which allowed Thomas and Dumeng to score making 6-0.
Grossmont had an opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs as Jordan Brown (2-3, 2B) singled and Samaria Roope followed with a walk but Richter got out of the inning.
More runs for the Cougars came in the top of the fifth as Carly Logan (1-1, R, 2B) doubled with one out and a couple batters later with two outs Audrey Bagge (RUN) was hit by a pitch which was followed by a double by JJ Venzor (3-5, 2 RBI, 2B) that scored both Logan and Bagge to extend the lead 8-0.
The Cougars rounded out their scoring in the top of the sixth on a leadoff solo homerun by Morales.
The Foothillers tried to get something going in the bottom of the sixth as Kati Contreras led off with a walk, Brown doubled, Roope walked but once again Richter worked her way out of the jam.
One more opportunity presented itself for Grossmont in the bottom of the seventh with two outs as Katie Appenzeller (2-3) singled which was followed by a Kimmi Bond (1-3) single but Richter would retire Contreras to end the game.
In the loss for Grossmont, Roope went 7 innings, giving up 9 runs of which 7 were earned on 14 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5.
With the win the Cougars move to 13- 4 overall and 1-0 in the Hills League while Grossmont drops to 12-6 overall and 0-1 in league.
