Pitching dominates Scots’ Slugger win

LA MESA – The offense was hard to come by as a pitcher’s duel unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, with San Diego Cavers pitcher LILY DECKARD and Helix Highlanders pitchers LILLY WHITE and SOPHIA RAMUNO combining to allow a total of three runs and five hits combined on the day.

However, it was the Highlanders who earned a 2-1 win at the Slugger Madness Tournament on Tuesday.

The first score of the game came in the bottom of the second – Highlander outfielder ANGEL RIGGINS reached base with a single and later advanced from first to third thanks to a passed ball. Ramuno followed with a ground ball to third, scoring Riggins.

The Cavers responded in the top of the third. Catcher MERRELL SIMONSEN got things started with a leadoff walk and was replaced by courtesy runner ATTIANA BARROSO. Next was an error off the bat of LUCY BENITEZ which allowed Barroso to come all the way around to score, tying the game at one run apiece.

The offenses went silent until the bottom of the sixth when Highlander outfielder ASHTON ISBELL reached base thanks to a defensive error, AMBER YOUNG was hit by a pitch, and Riggins singled, loading the bases with two outs.

Helix first baseman JOLENE GILES, who had just entered the game as a defensive replacement in the previous half-inning, was hit by the first pitch she saw, scoring Isbell and breaking the tie.

With a one-run lead, Helix Coach Emery made the pitching change, bringing in Ramuno for the save opportunity. Ramuno allowed one hit to Simonsen and struck out three en route to the save.

Highlander starting pitcher White finished the day allowing just one hit and one run, as well as striking out 10 in the winning effort.

Cavers starting pitcher Dickard pitched six innings, allowing three hits and giving up two runs (zero earned runs) in the tough loss.

Helix shortstop AUDREY KULL had one hit and outfielder Riggins had two – the only hits by the Highlander offense on the day. Young was twice hit by a pitch.

Simonsen and MIA ROBINSON had the only hits of the day for the Cavers.

Next for the Highlanders is the long drive into Imperial Valley, where they will face the Brawley Wildcats in another Slugger Madness matchup