Spartans’ Acosta strikes gold over Patriots
- Updated: February 18, 2022
2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
CENTRAL 8, CHRISTIAN 3
By Adam Paul
EL CENTRO (2-18-22) – Central Spartans sophomore Danica Acosta posted the biggest day of her early career, driving in her share of runs to overcome visiting Christian, 8-3, in Friday’s (Feb. 18) tournament game in the Imperial Valley. Acosta finished with four hits and scored three times.
Central would score push across a run in each of the first two innings to lead 2-0, but Christian would reply.
In the third, Jordyn Krystek (1-3, R) would hit a single, later scoring when her sister, Tyler Krystek (2-3, R, RBI, 2 2B, SB), smacked a hard-hit liner to center field that would pull the Patriots to within 2-1.
The Spartans would answer with a run in the bottom of the inning to make it 3-1 but Christian again would answer with a run in the top of the fourth. With one out Allyson Moody (1-2, R, 2B) would double to center, advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring on a ground ball by Ashley Wood which made it 3-2.
Things went awry in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Patriots as the Spartans would take advantage of a couple of errors, taking advantage with an RBI single and another error which led to another run to make it 5-2.
The Patriots would add on another run in the top of the sixth inning when Kaitlyn Moody (RBI) knocked in Tyler Krsytek on a sacrifice fly which made it 5-3. Central would answer in the bottom half of the inning with three more runs to round out their scoring.
Getting the starting nod for the Patriots was Allyson Moody who went all six innings in which she gave up nine runs of which only three were earned while striking out four on the day in the loss.
Moody’s Spartans counterpart, Arianna Sanchez,tossed seven innings in which she gave up three runs (two earned )on four hits while striking out nine Patriots batters.
Central remains unbeaten in the early-season play at 2-0.
Christian (1-2) continues tournament play on Tuesday (Feb. 22), hosting Bayfront Charter on Tuesday. The Sharks are coached by former Patriots standout and 2009 East County player of the year Mary Grabowski. First pitch at Roma Dawson Field is slated for 3:30 p.m.
