Lady Norsemen hit way to CIF victory

By Adam Paul
Updated: June 7, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – The host Valhalla Norsemen wasted no time scoring runs as they scored six runs across the first three innings and easily handled the visiting Sweetwater Red Devils on Monday (June 7).

With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, the Norsemen would grab a 1-0 lead when Abby Johnston (3-3, RBI, SB) drove in Maryn Jordan (2-3, R, RBI) on a base hit.

Valhalla would add to their lead in the bottom of the second inning thanks to taking advantage of opportunities starting with Marissa Lupo (2-2, 2 R, SB) who singled with one out, she would advance to second on a single by Naomi Villalva (2-2, R), she proceeded to steal third and would come into score on a wild pitch to make it 2-0, the next batter Jordan would hit a ball that would be misplayed allowing Villalva to come around and score to make it 3-0.

Another run in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of Andrea Gonzalez (2-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B) scoring on a wild pitch would make it 4-0 and later another error by Sweetwater would score both Emily Van Der Zalm (RUN) and Lupo to make it 6-0.

Sweetwater would finally get on the board in the top of the fourth inning on an error by Valhalla that allowed a run to score to make it 6-1.

The Norsemen would later answer with another run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Jordan knocked in Aubrey Baker (1-3, R) to make it 7-1.

Leading 7-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning the Norsemen continued as Gonzalez drove in Aubrielle McKee (1-1, R) on a double to left field that was followed a two-run belted home-run over the left-field fence by Nayeli Chapa (1-2, R, 2 RBI, HR) to round out the scoring.

McKayla Fish who got the nod for the Norsemen went out for the top of the seventh and despite allowing a lead double would retire the Red Devils down to end the game.

She would get the win as she tossed all seven innings in which she gave up two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out eleven on the day.

Sweetwater with the loss is officially eliminated from the playoffs and finishes the season with a record of 12-9.

Valhalla on the other hand improves to 13-12 and will travel to take on the second-seeded Serra Conquistadors on Wednesday (June 9) at 3:30 PM.

#8 Westview 4, #9 West Hills 0

DEL SUR – West Hills would fall behind early on and were limited to only three hits on the day in the loss.

West Hills had a golden opportunity in the top of the first inning to strike first with two-outs as both Lily Youngdale and Naomi Kai hit back-to-back base hits but unfortunately, both would be stranded as the following batter would be retired to end the inning.

The Wolverines on the other hand would capitalize as Lilly Lai would knock in Julissa Garcia with a base hit to left field which made it 1-0.

They would later in the bottom of the third inning take a 2-0 lead as Reese Williams drove in a run with two outs.

Leading 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning the Wolverines again thanks to Lai who drove in a run and later would score after tagging up on a ball caught in foul territory would give them a 4-0 lead.

The only other hit on the day for the Wolf Pack came in the top of the sixth inning when Amaya Angeli led off with a base hit to center field.

Izzy Tobias who started for the Wolverines wouldn’t allow any other base runners by the Pack as she picked up the win with five strikeouts and allowing only three hits over seven innings.

On the other side for the Pack, Alyssa Thornton took the loss as she allowed a single run on four hits over her two innings of work in which she struck out two on the day.

The loss officially eliminates the Wolf Pack who finish the season 4-13 while Westview improves to 9-18 and will travel to take on top-seeded Canyon Crest on Wednesday (June 9) at 3:30 p.m.