Highlanders win Island opener

CORONADO – On Friday afternoon, the Helix Highlanders’ 2020 softball got underway with a close victory on the turf in Coronado at the Gold and Silver Classic Tournament.

Audrey Kull, in her first high school softball at-bat, executed a perfect bunt single to lead off the game and Avery Perez followed with a single.

An error by the Islanders and a single by Kori Jonilonis brought home the first runs of the season for the Scotties.

At the bottom of the inning, facing a three-run deficit, the Islanders managed to draw three walks in a row to start the game. A hit batsman and a catcher’s interference call gifted the home team a pair of runs before the Highlanders finally settled in to retire the side.

After the first inning, the offenses disappeared. The 3-2 score remained unchanged from the top of the second to the end of the sixth, as both teams combined for a total of just five baserunners.

The Highlanders added a run in the top of the seventh as the speedy Kull singled and later reached home on a throwing error.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Islanders led off the inning with their first hit of the game and followed with a walk.

With the potential tying run on first, Scottie pitcher Sophia Ramuno dug deep and delivered a pair of strikeouts.

With two outs, the Islanders shortstop dug in and battled to a 2-2 count, before lining the final pitch of the game into center field.Kull, once again in the middle of the action, scooped the ball from the turf and delivered the accurate throw home. Catcher Isabella Bordine made the catch and placed the tag on the runner for the game-ending play at the plate.

Ramuno struck out 15 and did not allow a hit until the seventh inning en route to the win.

“Today was about ball placement and keeping the hitters off-balance,” Ramuno said.” I threw a lot of curveballs and rise balls trying to keep the ball away from the hitter or getting them to chase. I think our team looks great and I’m excited to see how far we can go this season.”

Center fielder Audrey Kull finished the day with two hits and a pair of runs scored, as well as making the game-winning assist.Other notable performances include senior Avery Perez and sophomore Kori Jonilonis, who both notched a pair of hits each.

Freshman Angel Riggins got the first hit and run scored of her high school career.