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Norse soundly down No. 1 & No. 9 ranked
- Updated: March 26, 2023
2023 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
By Adam Paul
RANCHO SAN DIEGO – According to the computer rankings, the Valhalla Norsemen were not supposed to compete let alone beat both the top-ranked Rancho Bernardo Broncos, nor the Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders, who were ranked No. 9) — according to MaxPreps.
Surprise!
Valhalla 3, Rancho Bernardo 0
Valhalla starter Devyn Mack shut down mighty Rancho Bernardo by firing a three-hitter over seven strong innings as the Norsemen shutout the top-ranked, 3-0, in non-league action Saturday (Mar. 25) at Leto Family Field..
Valhalla right away would grab the momentum as Cadyn Ruffer struck the first blow with her two-run blast over the right field fence, also scoring Naomi Villalva.
They would tack on their other run courtesy of an RBI single by Mckayla Fish in the sixth.
Both sides were strong pitching wise which led to eight combined hits by both teams as Rancho Bernardo would be held in check while Valhalla collected three on the day.
Maddie Hulse took the loss for the Broncos despite striking out seven as she allowed three runs on five hits over six innings of work.
For the Norsemen, Mack went all seven innings in which she allowed no runs on three hits.
Rancho Bernardo falls to 10-2 while the Norsemen improved to 4-5-1 and will more than likely get a nice boost in the power rankings with the victories.
Valhalla 3, Mater Dei Catholic 2
In the first game of Valhalla’s doubleheader, the Norsemen took advantage of a Meter Dei Catholic error in the bottom of the seventh to take a 3-2 decision over the 9th-ranked Crusaders.
Both teams went back and forth and with everything all knotted at 2-2 entering the seventh when when Cadyn Ruffer did her thing drawing a four-pitch walk with one down.
MDC then failed to handle the pressuer.
Ruffer took second base on a wild pitch, third on a the very next pitch which was ruled a passed ball..
With an open base and still just one down, MDC elected to pitcher to Valhalla’s Mckayla Fish, who would drive the next pitch. The liner was caught by the right fielder, but the speedy Ruffer would take off and come into score for the game-winning run.
The late wild pitch wouldn’t be the only one thrown in the game as Valhalla earlier in the contest after Avery Voth successfully stole home to tie the game at 1-1 would proceed to be set up to take the lead on a wild pitch that allowed Aubrielle Mckee to advance to third base, she would race home on another wild pitch thrown which allowed the Norsemen to take a 2-1 lead.
Garcia for the Crusaders would take the loss as she allowed three runs on three hits over six and two-thirds innings in which she struck out seven.
