Norsemen double-up Eagles; Tigers out-slug Patriots

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 3, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – In a high-scoring contest, the Valhalla Norsemen (7-6) out-slugged visiting Southwest High, of El Centro, 16-8, as they scored all their runs over the first four innings on Monday (May 3).

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the second the Norsemen scratched a pair of runs across when Maryn Jordan (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B) doubled in Abby Johnston (1-3, 2 R, RBI) followed by McKayla Fish (2-4, R, 2 RBI) hitting a ground ball out that allowed Devyn Ruffer (1-2, 2 R) to score to make it 4-2.

Southwest El Centro (6-10) would extend their lead even further scoring three more runs in the top of the second inning to lead 7-2.

The Norsemen again would score another run to cut the lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the inning when Bella Moscoso tagged and scored.

Jordan would double in Naomi Villalva (3-3, 2 R, 2B) in the bottom of the third inning, she would later score on an error and Devyn Ruffer scored on a base hit by Cadyn Ruffer (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) to make it 7-6.

Valhalla would tie the score at 7-7 in the inning when Marissa Lupo knocked in Ruffer.

Later in the bottom of the fourth inning, Valhalla would take their first lead of the game when Fish drove in Johnston and Cadyn Ruffer knocked in Villalva to lead 9-7.

They would tack on four more runs which included a two-run single by Lupo that scored both Fish and Cadyn Ruffer.

Southwest El Centro would score another run in the top of the seventh but that would be all they would get as Valhalla was able to end the game on a double-play ball.

Taking the loss for Southwest El Centro was Melissa Flores who only lasted three innings in which she allowed ten runs on nine hits and walked three.

On the other side Fish got the win for Valhalla, she went five innings allowing one run on three hits while walking two and striking out five.

Point Loma 3, Patrick Henry
DEL CERRO – Two early runs scored by Point Loma (3-10) was all they needed as they were able to hold the Patriots high scoring offense on Monday (May 3).

Pointers Megan O’Donnell belted a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the top of the second inning to give them an early 2-0 lead.

Patrick Henry (8-3) would threaten in the bottom of the third inning when Malia Savage led off with a base hit, she would advance to third on a double by Sydney Newton, the next batter Kaiah Altmeyer walked to load the bases.

The Pointers would get lucky as the Patriots would only salvage a run despite having the bases loaded and zero outs. The run would come when Olivia Gigante singled to score Newton.

However, the Pointers would answer with another run in the top of the fourth inning to lead 3-1.

Moving to the bottom of the fifth inning the Patriots had another golden opportunity to do some serious damage but again would only score a single run.

Leadoff hitter Mallari reached on an error, Gigante followed with a base hit and Dezianna Patmon singled to load the bases. The luck for the pointers came when Jessica DeWitt lined into a double play but Mallari tagged up and scored to make it 3-2.

Despite a lead double by Savannah Sutton and a two-out walk by Altmeyer the Patriots again would come away empty-handed.

Point Loma would only allow a base hit by DeWitt in the bottom of the seventh inning before getting the final out on a groundball to end the game.

Morse 16, Christian 13
SKYLINE – Despite two home runs by Kate Manes (3-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR), the Christian Patriots fall in a slugfest to the Morse Tigers on Monday afternoon.

Both teams combined for twenty-five hits and twenty-nine runs on the day which included a pair of home runs.

The Patriots would strike first in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Allyson Moody (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB) that scored Rachel Stephens (2-5, R) followed by a Devyn Krystek (1-4, RBI) ground out that allowed Manes to score to make it 2-0 early on.

However, the Tigers scratched a run back to cut the Patriots lead 2-1 on a ball hit by Shaunessy Cardwell (1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, SB) that was misplayed allowing Angelina Borja (2-4, 4 R, 2 RBI, SB) to score.

Christian had an opportunity in the top of the second to add to their lead with two outs when Giola Giorgi (2-3, R, RBI, 2B) singled, Dawnelle McLeod (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B) singled and Stephens followed with a base hit to load the bases. Unfortunately, they all would be stranded to end the inning.

“We all had some great moments but we made some errors that cost us the game,” McLeod said. “I had a goal to hit at least one ball and get on base and sometimes all you need is to reach that first goal. When you make contact, all you have to do is follow through.”

A couple of fielding errors by the Patriots allowed the Tigers to take a 3-2 lead. They would add three more runs to extend their lead to 6-2.

But the Patriots would take advantage of their opportunities in the top of the third inning when Moody scored on a hit by pitch by Allison Van Der Zalm (R, RBI). Later trailing 6-4 the Patriots would tie the game when Mcleod ripped a two-run double to score both Van Der Zalm and Savanah Petrone (RUN).

Later in the inning with two outs Manes would belt a three-run homer that scored Gioli and Mcleod which would allow Christian to retake the lead 9-6.

“The two home runs felt great,” Manes said. “I have been waiting all season for that. We hit a lot better today but we still struggled in the field. I still believe we can do so much better.”

Morse though in the bottom of the inning would take back momentum as Borja lined a two-run triple to tie the game at 9-9. Scoring on the hit by Borja was Marie Ruiz (1-3, R) and Asha Hayes (1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI). The next batter Claralyn Manning (R, SB) hit a ball that was misplayed allowing Borja to score and the Tigers to retake the lead 10-9.

The Tigers would later add four more runs to extend their lead to 14-9 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Despite trailing by five runs in the top of the sixth inning the Patriots wouldn’t go away as Manes led off with a solo homer over the left-field fence to make it 14-10, after back-to-back singles by Moody and Krystek the next batter Chloe Hessom would drive in Moody to make it 14-11.

“We need to put our fielding and that will give us a better chance at winning,” Moody said.

Christian would add another run in the inning to pull within 14-12 but an RBI double by Cardwell in the bottom of the inning would make it 15-12 which was followed by a base hit by Melody Wheatly that allowed Cardwell to score making it 16-12.

An RBI single by Moody in the top of the seventh would be all the Patriots would get as Morse was finally able to get the last out to end the game.