Pack bite Sharks, Patriots fall in 13

By Adam Paul
Updated: February 25, 2023

2023 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

CHULA VISTA – West Hills third baseman Samiya Wright drove in four runs, while the Wolf Pack smashed five doubles on the day in their convincing 18-1 victory over the Bayfront Charter Sharks in five innings on Friday (Feb. 24) afternoon.

Wright, a junior, batted 2-for-4 and scored twice in the contest held at Mueller Charter High School.

The unbeaten Pack (2-0-1) would jump out to a 9-0 lead by the third inning before the Sharks would tally their only run in their season opener.

Several West Hills players would tally multiple hits. Included were Kristina Deal (3-4, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2B, SB), who also drove in three runs; Katy Spargo (3-5, 2 R, RBI, 2B), who also scored twice;, Jaci McKindley (2-4, 2 RBI, ) who drove in a pair of runs; and Faith Balistreri (3-4, R, 3 RBI, 2B), who knocked in three runs.

Alyssa Thornton (1-2, 2B, 2R, 2 RBI) got the starting pitching nod, going three innings while allowing a pair of hits and one run, striking out two. In relief, Maddie Aylesbury (1-3, 4 R, RBI, 2B, SB) finished out by only allowing one hit while striking out three.

Other contributors for the Pack were Amaya Angeli who scored a pair of runs, and Thornton who also helped her own cause as she drove in a pair and scored twice.

Southwest (El Centro) 3, Christian 2 (13 inn.)

EL CENTRO – Despite being outhit by a wide margin. the Southwest El Centro Eagles would rally late and in the bottom of the thirteenth inning score the game-winning run when Emilie Marquez would intentionally slap the ball to the right side ofr a game-winning fielder’s choice.

The 13-inning contest ois believed to be the second-longest contest in CIF-San Diego Section play since the pitching circle was pushed back to 43 feer in 2012. The longest known contest was a 2015 affair between Patrick Henry and Scripps Ranch, which finished in as 2-2 draw because of darkness.

Both sides’ pitching was strong as neither offense could get going until the top of the ninth inning when Christians’ Keelayana Carrizosa led off with a double to left field. She would come into score when Kaitlyn Moody would hit a ball to left field to give them a 1-0 lead. After back-to-back hits by Ashley Wood and Jordyn Krystek, the Patriots would tally another run when Samantha Baca roped a ball to right field for a double that would plate Wood.

The Eagles though would rally with a pair of runs as they would take advantage of opportunities afforded them. A one-out walk, followed by a base hit followed by another walk would lead to a fielder’s choice that would lead to a pair of errors allowing a run to score which was followed by an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.

Ava Barrios garnered the start for the Patriots and would be saddled with a no-decision as she went eight and two-thirds innings that saw her only allow two runs on two hits while fanning nine. Payton Grosset came in and threw three and two-thirds and would take the loss despite only allowing one run on one hit and striking out three.

Wood, Carrizosa, Tyler Krystek, and Chloe Hessom all would obtain multiple hits for the Patriots.

Other scores
Kearny 14, ECVHS 0