Barkhimer picks up where she left off
- Updated: March 25, 2021
N.C. A&T-bound Joey Barkhimer of Santana
2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
ECS staff report
EL CAJON – Dominance in the circle and a two-out barrage by the Santana Sultans in the top of the first led to a formula of success in a big 12-0 victory over Granite Hills on Wednesday (Mar. 24)
afternoon.
For the Sultans (2-0) the bats started off quick in the top of the first inning as SAMMI SULLIVAN (2-4, 2R, 3 RBI, 3B), TAYLIN WARREN (4-4, 2R, RBI, 2B, 3B) and ISABELLA CYMAN (2-4, R, RBI) hit three consecutive singles to load the bases. Looking like they would blow the contest open right away the next two batters were retired.
Facing two-outs HALEY OCEGUERA (1-2, R, 2 RBI) stepped to the plate and ripped a ball to right which drove in both Sullivan and Warren to make it 2-0. A couple of batters later NATALIE SIMS (1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B) would add on two runs when she smashed a double to center field scoring both Cyman and Oceguera.
Eventually, the Sultans would bat around and again it was Sullivan doing more damage as she mashed a bases-clearing triple to give them a 7-0 lead. Scoring on the triple were HAILEY
PHILLIPS (1-3, R), Sims and GILLIANE JOHNSTON (1-2, 2R). Santana would add on another run thanks to Warren who followed with a triple of her own to bring home Sullivan.
After the pitching change made by Granite Hills the Sultans offense would be stymied until the top of the sixth inning when they pushed across four runs to complete the shutout.
In the top of the sixth inning Johnston led off with a single, she would advance to third on a one-out double by Warren, the next batter Cyman would single leading to Johnston coming into
score and Warren would score when JOEY BARKHIMER singled. The last two runs for the Sultans came courtesy of a base hit by KYLEE RUIZ which allowed both ANYSSA MAZON (RUN) and JORDYN BEATTY (RUN) to score.
Besides the offense for the Sultans, the other story of the day was JOEY BARKHIMER in the circle. The only baserunner that was allowed on the day was a two-out walk in the bottom of
the first inning.
Barkhimer on the day fanned 8 Eagles on the day in the complete-game victory.
For the Eagles (0-1), TAYLOR ROSE got the start and only lasted 2/3 of an inning in which she gave up 8 runs which were all earned on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 1. In relief, CHLOE KNEPP tossed 5 1/3 innings in which she gave up 4 runs which were all earned on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2.
On the day the Sultans tallied 14 hits.
The victory for the Sultans was their first over the Eagles since a 3-2 extra innings affair in 2018.
