Bulldogs bite Cougs; Norse rally for win; Falcons clip El Cap

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 13, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

NON-LEAGUE

RAMONA 7, STEELE CANYON 3

RAMONA (4-13-21) – Four runs scored by the Bulldogs early on was the difference on Tuesday afternoon as the Cougars couldn’t quite make up the difference.

A leadoff solo homerun by Ashlie Alshouse along with an RBI single by Mackenzie Rutkoff gave the Bulldogs an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Ramona would score another pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning to extend the lead to 4-0.

In the top of the fourth inning the Cougars started off with a base hit by Breanna Lakin, Carlie Williams would follow by being hit by a pitch.

Later in the inning with two outs, Isabella Smith who came into fun for Lakin would score on an error by the Bulldogs to make it 4-1.

But the momentum would swing back to Ramona as they would score three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the score 7-1.

Moving to the bottom of the seventh inning and the Cougars down to their final out and needing something to happen up stepped Janea Wilson who made things happen as she singled to left field, the next batter Iryana Oliver lined a single to right field to give the Cougars runners at first and second base. On the base hit to right field, the outfielder misplayed the ball allowing Wilson to come around and score and Iryana to advance to second base.

Still with two outs and runners on the momentum was slowly going towards Steele Canyon and it would continue as Mariah Mata would double to center field allowing Iryana to come around and score to make it 7-3.

Unfortunately, that would be all the Cougars would get as Rutkoff was able to retire the next batter to end the game.

Starting in the circle for the Cougars was Davina Moya who tossed four and two-thirds innings, allowing seven runs on ten hits and striking out four, in relief Kassandra Jaggard went an inning and a third allowing a hit and striking out one. ‘

For the Bulldogs, Rutkoff got the nod. Over her seven innings of work, she allowed three runs on seven hits and fanned ten on the day.

HILLTOP TOURNAMENT

SCRIPPS RANCH 3, EL CAPITAN 2

SAN DIEGO (4-13-21) – Losing the lead early the Vaqueros couldn’t quite complete the comeback despite a late run.

Coming off her two homerun effort Hailey Mulligan (3-4, 2R, RBI, 2 2B, HR) started things off for the Vaqueros in the top of the first inning with a double, she would later come into score after tagging up on a sacrifice fly by Jojo Christiaens (RBI) to give them a 1-0 early on.

In the bottom of the first inning for the Falcons (3-5) with one out Madelyn Carniglia would knock in a run and Victoria Denosta followed with a ground ball out that scored another run to make it 2-1.

El Capitan (6-2) would threaten with two outs in the top of the fourth inning thanks to back-to-back hits by Brooke Horn (1-3) and Dom Garcia (1-3). Unfortunately, both would be stranded to end the inning.

Leading by only a run in the bottom of the fourth inning the Falcons added another run when Denosta doubled in Carniglia who led off with a triple.

Moving to the top of the seventh inning and now trailing 3-1 the Vaqueros were down to their final at-bat.

Things didn’t look good as the first two batters were retired but Mulligan came to the plate and jacked one over the center-field fence to bring the Vaqueros within 3-2.

The next batter Alyssa Fierro would single but the Falcons were able to end things as they were able to catch Fierro stealing second base.

Mulligan with her homerun for the Vaqueros on the day has now hit home runs in consecutive games and three in the last two games.

Devon Castillo for the Falcons got the start and picked up the win as she only allowed two runs over seven innings on eight hits while striking out one.

Taking the loss for the Vaqueros, Brooke Horn, who went six innings in which she gave up three runs on seven hits while striking out three.

VALHALLA 11, CALEXICO 8

CALEXICO (4-13-21) – Late in the game with the score tied Marissa Lupo came thru in the clutch for the Norsemen as she doubled in the go-ahead run and give Valhalla a lead they wouldn’t relinquish on Tuesday afternoon.

Early on the 100+ miles didn’t seem to affect the Norsemen as McKayla Fish drove in Abby Johnston and Maryn Jordan would score on a successful steal of home to make it 2-0.

However, the lead would be erased in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Calexico pushing across three runs to take a 3-2 lead.

The Bulldogs would add to their one-run lead with five more runs in the bottom of the second inning to lead 8-2.

But Valhalla didn’t quit and went back to work in the top of the third inning. An RBI double by Jordan followed by a one double by Fish would cut the deficit in half at 8-4. The Norsemen were not done as a couple of batters later Nayeli Chapa would hit a ground ball out but Bailey Lenz would score to make it 8-5.

Later in the top of the sixth inning and trailing 8-6 the Norsemen would take advantage of an error by the Bulldogs which would lead to both Jordan and Aubrielle McKee scoring to tie the game at 8-8.

With the score tied going into the top of the seventh inning the Norsemen bats went to work as Aubrey Baker doubled with one out, the next batter Marissa Lupo would break the tie with an RBI double.

Later in the inning, Johnston would tack on another run as she drove in Lupo and Bella Moscoso would score on a sacrifice fly.

Valhalla who came all the way back from six runs down now led 11-8.

Fish went out for the bottom of the seventh inning for Valhalla and promptly retired Calexico in order to complete the comeback win.

In the win, Fish went all seven innings in which she gave up eight runs on ten hits while walking five and striking out six on the day.