Highlanders battle back at G&S Classic

By ECS Staff
Updated: February 25, 2020

2020 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

HELIX 7, OCEANSIDE 5

By Tyler Gribble

Special to EastCountySports.com

LA MESA – The Helix Highlanders overcame an early deficit en route to their second win of the season at the Gold & Silver Classic Tournament.

The Pirates managed to drive home a pair of runs to lead off the game before Helix starting pitcher Zoe Kuhlken (3.1 IP, 4K, 2H) settled in, striking out two to end the threat.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Highlanders began battling back. Audrey Kull (2H, 2R) singled and Angel Riggins (2H, RBI) singled her in to cut the lead in half.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Highlanders bats continued to work as Nicole Hernandez (BB, RBI) drew a leadoff walk. With one out, Kasey Castro (BB, 2 RBI) walked, putting runners on first and second. After a failed bunt attempt for the second out, Kull returned to the plate, placing a perfectly slapped single down to load the bases. Avery Perez (2B, 3 RBI) lined a ball into left-center field, clearing the bases and putting the Highlanders on top, 4-2.

The Pirates battled back to tie the game 4-all, but the Highlanders struck again in the fifth inning.

Angel Riggins lead off with a single and Kori Jonilonis (2H, 2 SB, R) drove a ball to the center-field warning track for a double. Jolene Giles (R) reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases, and Nicole Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to bring the go-ahead run in. Later, with two out, Kasey Castro lined a ball into center to drive in 2 more, bringing the score to 7-4.

The Pirates managed to bring a run across in the sixth but White closed the door, finishing off her first varsity pitching win and bringing the Scotties to 2-0 on the season and in Gold & Silver Tournament pool play. The Highlanders have another tournament contest on Wednesday as they play host to the Chula Vista Spartans.

Elsewhere

EL CAPITAN 18, CHRISTIAN 1 (5 inn.) – Alexa Williams hit a three-run home run and finished with five RBI for the Vaqueros in a non-league win over the Patriots.

Ava Gall had three hits, scored three runs and drove in a pair for El Capitan.

Williams delivered a shortened complete game, allowing two hits over five frames while striking out seven.

SANTANA 7, WESTVIEW 5 – Sultan Joey Barkheimer broke a 4-all tie in the top of the fifth with a double to center.

Natalie Simms stole home to give Santana a 2-1 lead.

Hailey Oceguera tied the game at 3-all with an RBI single in the third inning.

Taylinn Warren drove in Barkhimer to give the Sultans a 6-4 advantage.

KEARNY 16, MONTE VISTA 15 – Senior Meeah Matane had four hits and two RBI for the Monarchs, but the Komets outlasted Monte Vista in a wild non-league game.

Senior Desiree Corona drove in three runs for Monte Vista, as did teammate Brianna Barnes-Willey.

Senior Vanessa Varela hit a triple for the Monarchs, who stole 10 bases as a team.

EastCountySports.com