Sultans Eek Out Win; Pats Handle Spartans

By Adam Paul
Updated: March 20, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

SANTEE – The Santana Sultans behind a pair of third-inning runs were able to oust the Valhalla Norsemen 4-3 in Mater Dei Tournament action Wednesday.

Valhalla would jump out 3-0 in the top of the second inning as walks to both Preslee Fink (RBI), and Avery Voth (RBI) and a hit-by pitch to Devyn Mack (RBI) would all lead to runs scored for the Norsemen.

The Sultans though would put runs on the board in the bottom of the inning to cut into the deficit. The first run would be set up by McKenna Miller (2-3, 2 R, RBI, 4 SB), and her stealing of third base, she would come into score on a sacrifice fly by Faith Francisco (1-3, RBI). The Sultans’ second score would occur when Valhalla misplayed a ball hit by Lily Sowinski that allowed Vanessa Ryan (R, RBI, SB) to score which made it 3-2.

They were not done though as they would score another pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning.

McKenna Miller would drive in Emma Schneider (1-1, R, 2B) on a one-out base hit to center field to tie the game 3-3 and Ryan followed up after Miller stole both second and third with a groundball out that scored Miller to give them the lead.

Aurelia Dawson picked up the win in relief for the Sultans as she and Zuckerman combined for a no-hitter. Dawson in the circle allowed no runs on no hits while walking two and striking out three. Bella Zuckerman started for the Sultans. On the day she allowed no hits and three runs (two earned) over one and one-third innings while walking five and striking out one.

On the other side for the Norsemen, Mack started and allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) over six innings of work while walking three and striking out two.

Santana on the season overall is now 7-5 while Valhalla is now 1-9.

CHRISTIAN 15, CHULA VISTA 0 (5 inn.) – Lucy Sherburne (4-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 2 HR) belted a pair of home runs and drove in six RBI to help give the Christian Patriots the runaway victory over Chula Vista in tournament action Tuesday.

Sherburne who is only a junior would homer in the first and fourth innings.

Christian would start the fireworks right away as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead thanks to two-run blast by Sherburne, Ashley Wood (3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI) singled in both Lily Reyes (RUN) and Keels Carrizosa (2-4, 2 R, 2B), Kayleigh Martin (3-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR) doubled in Wood, Jordyn Krystek (2-2, 2 R, RBI, 2B) drove in Martin and Sherburne came up again and doubled in both Martin and Krystek.

They would tack on three more runs in their half of the second thanks to Martin who blasted a two-run shot over the center-field fence and Sherburne doubled in a run to extend the lead to 11-0.

Martin again would drive in another run, Giselle Colmenero singled in a run and Krystek walked which led to another run scoring.

Sherburne again would add to the damage with a solo homer in the fourth inning over the left field fence.

Sienna Staite continued the pitching dominance for the Patriots as she allowed no runs and one hit over five innings while walking two and striking out five.

Christian with the win now has won four in a row and improves to 9-0-1. The Patriots during their current winning streak have outscored their opponents 56-6.

OTAY RANCH 7, EL CAPITAN 4 – Offensively the El Capitan Vaqueros couldn’t get enough going as they fell to Otay Ranch Wednesday.

Trailing 2-0 the Vaqueros would answer right back in the bottom of the first inning after Kylee Frazier doubled in Ciara Bernardini who led off with a double, Domonique Garcia followed with an RBI single to right field to bring home Frazier that tied the game and Alanna Christiaens hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Garcia who advanced to third on an Aubrey Thorne double to tag up and race home to give them a 3-2 lead.

Otay Ranch would take advantage of their opportunities in the top of the fourth inning and jump back into the lead that they would hold onto.

Alyssa Cole started for the Vaqueros, she allowed eight hits and six runs (four earned) over five innings while striking out one and walking two in the loss.

Garcia led the day at the plate for the Vaqueros as she went 3-for-4 including a triple, scored a run, and drove in a run. Addison Leone, Christiaens, Frazier, and Garcia all drove in a run.

The Vaqueros are now 3-6-4 on the season.