Dons rally past Pats with late run

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 13, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

CARMEL HIGHLANDS (4-13-22) – A late-inning triple by Bella LeQua would doom the visiting Patrick Henry Patriots as the Cathedral Catholic Dons rallied for a 3-2 victory in City Western League play on Wednesday afternoon.

Henry would strike first with the first run in the top of the first inning when Savannah Sutton would drive in Kaiah Altmeyer on a base hit to left field to make it 1-0.

The Dons though would threaten in the bottom of the inning as they would start the inning with back-to-back walks but Sophia Sanchez of the Patriots would dig deep and strike out the next two batters to end the threat.

Both squads would have their share of opportunities but it wouldn’t be until the top of the fifth inning with two outs that Olivia Gigante would add to Henry’s lead with an RBI double scoring Altmeyer to make it 2-0.

But the Dons would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning when Sereniti Thrice who had singled in the inning would score on a passed ball with two outs.

Still trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning the Dons would start off with a double by Ab’C’De Patane but the next two batters would be retired. Now with two outs and things looking good for the Patriots as it looked like they would get out of the inning unscathed but Tyler Price had other ideas as she roped an RBI triple to center field which was followed LaQua’s triple to give the Dons the lead.

Patrick Henry would have one final opportunity in the top of the seventh and Altmeyer would start things off with a base hit, unfortunately, the next batter Malia Savage would hit into a double play. Now with two outs up came Sutton who would reach on an error which was followed by Gigante being intentionally walked.

Still, two outs and runners on first and second the Patriots looked to be in business as they only needed a base hit but Sophia Clark would end the comeback thought as she would get Leila Ludwig to ground into a fielders’ choice to end the game.

Sanchez would take the hard-luck loss for the Patriots as she allowed three runs on eight hits over her five and two-thirds inning of work while walking two and striking out six on the day.

Clark for the Dons got the win as she went the distance in which she allowed two runs on five hits while walking five and striking out six.

Patrick Henry falls to 4-7-1 overall and 0-1 in league play while the Dons improve to 12-8-1 overall and 1-1 in league play.