Bats come alive in Cougars’ romp

By Adam Paul
Updated: February 24, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

SPRING VALLEY – Morning games are always tough to get a groove going, especially early-season morning games. Putting things aside the Steele Canyon Cougars came out with a bang as they pounded out thirteen hits and scored eight runs over the first three innings as they came away with a 9-1 non-league victory over the visiting Ramona Bulldogs on Saturday.

Steele Canyon (1-0) got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when they were able to push across four runs all with two outs. Sophomore Marina Gonzalez (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR) belted a solo shot deep over the center field fence, Hailey Trujillo (1-2, R, RBI), Tevia Cohen (2-4, R, RBI), and Bailey Evans (2-2, RBI) would contribute with RBI singles.

They would go on to extend their lead further thanks to RBI doubles by Gonzalez and Kamea Seunarine (2-3, R, RBI, 2 2B) in the bottom of the second inning.

Leading 6-0 the Cougars would take advantage of an error by the Bulldogs which led to Cohen coming into score which was followed by an RBI single by Michaela Heinen to make it 8-0.

Dannika Lakin who went 1-4 would score a run and drive in the last run for the Cougars.

Gonzalez not only shined at the plate but in the circle as she came into the contest in relief and only allowed one run on four hits and striking out two. Evans who started things off for the Cougars made her pitching debut and shut down the Bulldogs as she allowed no runs on no hits over three innings while striking out one.

Ramona (0-2) would score their only run of the game in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice bunt by Evie Brown.

Next up for the Cougars will be the Cougar Classic starting Monday against El Camino scheduled for 5 PM.

Olympian 5, Helix 3 – Despite outhitting the Olympian Eagles by a margin of 11-5 the Helix Highlanders couldn’t unfortunately couldn’t string enough together despite scoring three runs late to overcome the early five-run deficit in the loss on Saturday in non-league action.

Olympian (1-0) got on the board first thanks to a RBI triple by Jacqui De Murguia and a fielder’s choice by Gabi Rodriguez to make it 2-0.

A couple of innings later in the bottom of the third, the Eagles would extend their lead further as Rodriguez and Mariely Duran each drove in runs.

Helix (1-1) would get on the board in the top of the fifth inning thanks to a ground ball out by Ta’Tiannah Wright (RBI) that brought home Clarissa Torres to make it 5-1.

The Highlanders would do their best to come back with more as they were able to push across a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Their first run came courtesy of a fielder’s choice by Katelyn Woodland (RBI) that brought home Lillianna Benaabdeljalil (3-4, R, 2B) which was followed by an RBI double by Neviah Conchas (2-3, RBI, 2B).

LaNiah Broom (2-4) who had a pair of hits at the plate would take the loss, she would allow five runs (one earned) on five hits over two and one-third innings of work. Lauren Farace would come into the game in relief and would go three and two-thirds in which she allowed no runs and no hits and struck out five.

Cathedral Catholic 14, Valhalla 0 (5 inn.) – Unfortunately for the Valhalla Norsemen they couldn’t contain Cathedral Catholic Dons slugger Sina Talataina who was the driving force behind the blowout victory by the Dons as she drove in 7 RBI on three hits in Saturday’s Falcon Fiesta contest.

Cathedral Catholic would start their scoring in the first inning as Tyler Price singled in a run and Talataina drove in a run via sacrifice fly.

They would add three more runs in the bottom of the second inning thanks to an RBI triple by Sereniti Trice and a two-run single by Talataina.

Talataina again would deliver more as she struck the big blow in the bottom of the third inning with a lined blast over the center-field fence for a grand slam. Also, driving in runs during the six-run inning for the Dons were Trice with an RBI single and Kayla Walton with an RBI double.

Sophia Clark picked up the victory for the Dons as she allowed one hit and no runs over five innings, striking out five and walking one. Melissa Botticelli came in and tossed an inning of relief, giving up one hit while striking out two.

On the other side for Valhalla, Devyn Mack who started the game would take the loss as she allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 10 hits over two and one-third innings, striking out four and walking five.

Valhalla on the day would be limited to two hits courtesy of Taylor Mack and Brooke Tucci.