Barkhimer, Sultans blank Vaqueros

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 20, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

SANTEE – In a matchup between the two top teams of the Grossmont Valley League the Santana Sultans (17-6, 4-0) behind Joey Barkhimer’s pitching performance shut out the visiting El Capitan Vaqueros (11-6, 3-1) 8-0 on Wednesday (May 19).

The Sultans struck early as they pushed across four runs in the bottom of the first inning to lead 4-0. The first run came when Kassidy Harper (1-2, RBI) grounded out allowing Taylin Warren (3-4, R) to race home, Barkhimer (2-4, R, 3 RBI, HR) followed with a base hit that brought in Sammi Sullivan (4-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B, SB), Hailey Phillips (2-4, 2 RBI) followed with another base hit that scored Isabella Cyman (RUN) and Natalie Sims (1-4, RBI) followed with a base hit that scored Madison Jordan (RUN).

El Capitan would threaten in the top of the third inning as Alyssa Fierro (1-3, 2B) led off with a double but she would be wiped out when Hailey Mulligan lined into a double play. The next batter would strike out to end the inning.

Barkhimer again would help her own cause as she belted her third dinger of the season a two-run homer to left field that also scored Jordyn Beatty to make it 6-0.

An RBI double by Sullivan in the bottom of the fourth inning that scored Gilliane Johnston (2-3, R) would make it 7-0, later in the bottom of the sixth inning, Phillips would drive in Sullivan to round out the scoring.

For the Vaqueros, Mulligan, Ava Gall, Maddie Taylor, and Brooklyn Fukushima all would have hits while Brooke Horn would have two hits on the day.

Pitching wise for the Vaqueros, Horn tossed six innings in which she gave up eight runs on fifteen hits while walking four and striking out two.

Barkhimer for the Sultans went the distance in which she struck out eight while allowing seven hits in the win.

With the win, the Sultans now have a leg up on the Vaqueros in the league standings which will make their showdown on the last day of the season a very important one for both squads.

Serra 9, Christian 3 – In what was a tight ballgame the Serra Conquistadors (14-3, 4-0 CL) pushed across insurance runs to claim the City League victory over the Christian Patriots (2-16, 2-3 CL) on Wednesday (May 19).

The Patriots who were looking to continue their winning ways got off on the right foot in the top of the first inning thanks to a solo home run by Kate Manes to make it 1-0 early on.

“The pitcher just missed her spot and left it hanging flat and middle inside,” Manes said.

But the momentum was short-lived as Alissa Thomas tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI double and with two outs would score on a misplayed ball to make it 2-1 Serra.

Lydia Weldon would give the Conquistadors a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning when she drove in Thomas with a base hit.

Christian though in the top of the fourth inning would take advantage of an opportunity created by Chloe Hessom when she hit a ball that was misplayed allowing both Manes and Allyson Moody to score to tie the game at 3-3.

“Allyson pitched a great game,” Manes said. “I’m so impressed that she never gave up and kept trying.”

Serra though would come right back and retake the lead thanks to a base hit by Zoey Lusky and later a fielder’s choice by Kyla Gary to make it 5-3. They would add another run in the bottom of the fifth when Weldon hit a ball to left field that rolled around allowing her to race around the bases and score on an inside-the-park home run.

Serra would tack on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to round out their scoring.

Both Giselle Comenero and Giola Giorgi would also have hits for the Patriots.