East County Sports

Patriots’ win is freshman Manes’ event

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS SOFTBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON – The Christian High Patriots saw their first six batters of the 3rd inning all reach base and score to mount a 7-0 advantage, coasting past the visiting La Jolla Vikings, 9-5, in Thursday’s (Mar. 6) Varsity Classic affair At Dawson Field.

Pats pitcher Kate Manes belted a home run to left field in the decisive inning, while shortstop Audrey Shebloski added her East County leading third home run of the season, going to right-center in the 4th. Both were 2-run shots.

Manes struck out 9 batters and allowed just two earned runs in her triumph.

Catcher Rachel Stephens got the scoring started in the 2nd, circling the bases on a walk, stolen base, passed ball, then a ground ball by Dawnelle Mcleodg for the game-winning RBI.

Then in the 3rd, a lead double by third baseman Harmony Blizard got the ball rolling. She moved to third base on a passed ball, then Mallory Steele knocked her home with a line single to left.

Steele scored on an ensuing triple by Shebloski, who scored when Manes homered into the children’s playground beyond the left-field fence.

The rally continued when Stephens singled, then scored after a stolen base, another passed ball, and an RBI grounder by Mcleod.

“Defensively, the girls played well,” Christian High head coach George Gentry said. “We had some key plays but we kind of let down a little bit after getting a big lead.”

The Patriots (2-3) pounded out 11 hits, including a triple by second baseman Isa Stephens.

“We gave up some runs and didn’t score any. But the team stepped up, and I told Manes that if she allowed any more walks she was going to come out of the game, and she didn’t let up any more walks.”

The Patriots have won two-straight after dropping a 21-2 decision to Mar Vista.

“It Night and day difference between the last two games and that game,” Gentry said,” I told them we haven’t been beaten like that before and we don’t want that to happen again.”

The Patriots have several days off before playing another game.

“I’m just hoping it doesn’t rain and we can get some real practice in, Gentry said.

For the Valkyries (0-5), as La Jolla girls sports teams were known as prior to switching in the mid-1970s, senior third baseman Mariah Aiello registered 3 RBI, including a cosmetic, 2-run single in the 7th to cap the scoring.

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