Ramuno, Scotties riding high in Hills

LA MESA – For the second game in a row, the Helix Highlanders rode an early burst of runs to victory.

Helix scored all five of their runs in the first inning and pitcher SOPHIA RAMUNO made sure that was all her team needed, pitching a complete-game shutout, striking out ten, and allowing just two hits on the day in a 5-0 win over the Valhalla Lady Norsemen.

“Valhalla has a good offense,” Ramuno said. “I had my good stuff today and was confident in my abilities. I never counted them out, they strike when you least expect it.”

Highlander center fielder KORI JONILONIS (1B, R) led things off in the bottom of the first with a single, and then shortstop ANGEL RIGGINS (1B, HBP, R) reached via a hit by pitch.

One out later, third baseman NICOLE HERNANDEZ (R) grounded into a fielder’s choice that was overthrown, scoring Jonilonis for the first run of the game. First baseman JOLENE GILES (2 1B, 2B, 2 RBI) followed with a double down the left-field line, driving in both baserunners.

With Giles aboard, pitcher Ramuno (HR, 2 RBI) lined a shot over the center-field wall for her first home run of the season to bring Helix’s run total to 5.

“I was just saying recently to some teammates that I wanted to hit a home run this season and there it is,” Ramuno said. “It was an inside pitch but I stand on the line and pull my hands through the zone. That gives you three options, throw inside, go out with it, or it hits me. That takes away a lot of the zone.”

After the first, both teams’ bats disappeared, with a combined five hits through the final six frames.

Helix improved to a perfect 5-0 thus far in the Grossmont Hills League and is now riding a six-game winning streak.

The Lady Highlanders hold a one-game lead over second-place Steele Canyon (4-1 GHL).

McKayla Fish struck out nine in going the distance for Valhalla (3-2 GHL, 10-8).