SOFT: Late heroics by Patriots, Norsemen

By Adam Paul
Updated: February 22, 2023

2023 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul
ECS Staff Writer

EL CAJON – A clutch two-run single with the score tied at 4-4 by Ashley Wood (1-4, 2 RBI) procures the 6-4 victory for the Christian Patriots over the El Centro-Central Spartans in Gold & Silver tournament action Tuesday (Feb. 21) at Roma Dawson Field.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning the Patriots would knot things up when Kaitlyn Moody (1-2. 2 R, RBI, HR) came up and blasted a solo shot deep over the center-field fence.

Still tied up at 1-1 the Spartans would retake the lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI single to lead 2-1.

However, the Patriots again erased the one-run deficit as freshman Keelayana Carrizosa (1-2, 2 R, RBI, HR) in the bottom of the third blasted a solo shot over the center-field fence for her first-ever varsity homerun.

Having again surrendered another run the Patriots would take advantage in the bottom of the fifth as Tyler Krystek (1-4, 2 R, 3 SB) led off with a base hit, Moody followed with a walk and Carrizosa was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Christian (1-0) despite having the bases loaded and no outs would only muster a single run on a walk by Samantha Baca that plated Krystek to tie the game 3-3.

Another run by Central this time with two outs would allow them to retake the lead 4-3 in the top of the sixth inning.

Things though would get really interesting as the Patriots would mount a rally in the bottom of the inning all with two outs.

Starting the rally was Krystek who hit a ball to third base that was thrown wildly allowing her to reach safely and also advance to second base, she would steal third. The next batter Moody would draw a walk which would lead to the Central coach intentionally walking Carrizosa for the second time on the day. With the bases packed up came Baca who would draw a four-pitch walk allowing Krystek to come home and tie the game at 4-4.

With the bases still loaded and two outs the next batter Wood would line an 0-1 count to center field which brought both Moody and Carrizosa home.

Picking up the win for the Patriots in the circle was Payton Gosset who came in to finish things off as she tossed two innings in which she gave up a run on no hits while walking one and striking out two. Starting wise for Christian was Ava Barrios who went five innings in which she gave up three runs on three hits while walking eight and striking out five on the day.

Valhalla 4, San Pasqual 2

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – With the score tied at 2-2 late in the game the Valhalla Norsemen take advantage of various opportunities and push across a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning that would hold up to give them the victory on Tuesday (Feb. 21) in Falcon Fiesta action over the San Pasqual Golden Eagles.

Early on the Golden Eagles would take a 2-0 lead thanks to an RBI double and a sacrifice fly but the Norsemen would erase that deficit in the bottom of the inning.

Valhalla who returns a lot of players off the team that came within a single game of reaching the CIF Championships showed why they can score runs and erase any deficit.

Back-to-back one-out base hits by Naomi Villalva (1-4, R) and Cadyn Ruffer (1-2, R) followed by a walk to Mckayla Fish (RBI) would load the bases. The following hitter freshman Devyn Mack (1-3, 2 RBI) would drill a liner to center field scoring both Villalva and Ruffer to tie the score 2-2.

The Golden Eagles had a golden opportunity in the top of the third inning as they would load the bases with two outs but Mack would get out of the jam on a ground ball out to end the inning.

Still tied in the bottom of the fifth inning the Norsemen would start off with a lead walk by Presslee Fink (R, SB), she would steal second base, and the next batter Villalva would reach on a fielder’s choice and would advance to second on an error also allowing Fink to reach third base.

Now with runners in scoring position, Ruffer would eventually draw a walk to load the bases which would lead to Fish coming up and hitting into a fielder’s choice to first base allowing Fink to come into score giving them a 3-2 lead. A couple of batters later after a double play, Aubrielle Mckee (SB) would hit a ball that was misplayed allowing Ruffer to plate.