Helix downs Valhalla in pitcher’s duel

EL CAJON – The Helix Highlanders varsity softball team rode a pair of first-inning runs to victory, claiming their eighth straight win by defeating the Valhalla Lady Norsemen, 2-1, on Monday afternoon.

MCKAYLA FISH got the start for the Norsemen and struck out of pair of Scotties to start the game before Helix first baseman JOLENE GILES dropped a single in front of the left fielder.

Catcher ISABELLA BORDINE followed with a double off of the left-field wall, scoring Giles all the way from first base.

Third baseman NICOLE HERNANDEZ followed with a single up the middle to drive in another, and pitcher SOPHIA RAMUNO kept the two-out rally going with another single to put runners on first and second.

Unfortunately for the Highlanders, the next at-bat was a ground ball off of the bat of AMBER YOUNG that struck a baserunner for the third out.

In the bottom of the second, Valhalla got on the board with a solo home run to center by catcher CADYN RUFFER.

Neither team would score again as both pitchers settled in. The Norsemen threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Fish led off with a double, but Helix buckled down to secure the victory.

Both pitchers went the distance on the day, with Ramuno striking out eleven and allowing just three hits.

Ramuno improved to 10-0 overall and has a 0.84 ERA this season.

Fish struck out ten and allowed seven hits.

Helix, currently ranked just 15th in the latest media poll, improved to 7-0 in the Grossmont Hills League standings and 20-4 overall.