Kull, Scots circle bases to beat Pack

LA MESA – Shortstop Audrey Kull’s two-out inside-the-park home run with two on was the timely hit the Helix Highlanders needed against the West Hills Wolf Pack on Friday.

After squandering opportunities with runners on in each of the previous three innings, the Highlanders finally broke through thanks to Kull.

In a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth, Highlander pitcher Sophia Ramunno led things off with a walk followed by a bunt single by outfielder Danica Munoz.

With two outs and with the team already having stranded six base runners, Kull lifted in a ball over the outfielder’s head and into the left-field corner.

The speedy Kull raced all the way around the bases and beat the throw to the plate, securing the first home run of her high school career.

“It was exciting because it was a big opportunity for me to produce,” Kull said. “I run a 2.6 home-to-first so once I saw it over the left fielder’s head, I was gone and coach Darren (Emery) knew he couldn’t stop me, so he just sent me home.”

The Wolf Pack managed to break through the sixth as Amaya Angeli walked, and an error allowed Sabrina Brown to reach.

Alyssa Thorton then bounced a grounder up the middle for a base hit, driving in Angeli.

However, Romano struck out the next better to cut the rally short.

Both pitchers went the distance with Ramuno tallying 13 strikeouts while giving up three hits and one unearned run.

West Hills’ Alyssa Thorton struck out nine and allowed seven hits across six innings.

With the win, Helix rises to 6-0 in the win and 19-4 overall. The Highlanders will face the third-place Valhalla Lady Norsemen on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Wolf Pack drops to 0-6 in the Grossmont Hills League and 4-8 overall. West Hills will host the second-place Steele Canyon Cougars on Wednesday.