Patriots’ homers knock out Scots

By ECS Staff
Updated: March 30, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

PATRICK HENRY 13 (2-1), HELIX 3 (1-1), 5 INNINGS
SAN CARLOS – It was a big day for Patrick Henry’s SAVANNAH SUTTON, as she drove in five runs to lead the Patriots to a convincing 13-3 victory on Monday (Mar. 29) afternoon.

Things started in the right direction for the Helix Highlanders as they would push a run across in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The run came courtesy of a two-out base hit by BELLA BORDINE, which brought home AUDREY KULL.

Things were looking good for the Highlanders as they had momentum and also SOPHIA RAMUNO in the circle who was coming off a perfect game in her last outing. Unfortunately, she would leave the game as KAIAH ALTMEYER the leadoff hitter for the Patriots would hit a line drive right at Ramuno who wouldn’t return to the contest.

Replacing Ramuno in the circle was LILY WHITE and the Patriots would take advantage as they would push across four runs in the inning.

The damage would start with JESSICA DEWITT doubling in both Altmeyer and OLIVIA GIGANTE to make it 2-1, later in the inning, Sutton would drive in both DEZIANNA PATMON and DeWitt to give the Patriots a 4-1 lead.

Helix would threaten in the top of the second inning with a one-out walk by MAGGIE JENKINS, a couple of batters later with two-outs Kull would slice a single to center to advance Jenkins to third base. The next batter KORI JANILONIS would walk but Gigante would get out of the inning.

After taking a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning the Patriots would really do damage in the bottom of the second inning thanks to three home runs.

The first blast in the inning came courtesy of Altmeyer who hit a two-run homerun which also scored SYDNEY NEWTON who led off with a walk, after back-to-back singles by DeWitt and MCKENNA GIEGER up stepped Sutton who hit one over the right-field fence to extend the lead to 10-1. Also in the inning, Patmon hit a solo blast.

Helix would add a run in the top of the third inning courtesy of a ground ball hit by ANGEL RIGGINS which allowed NICOLE HERNANDEZ to score.

Patrick Henry would answer with more runs in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of a two-run home run by Gigante that scored Altmeyer. The home run by Gigante was the fourth on the day for the Patriots.

Despite trailing the Highlanders didn’t go down without a fight in the top of the fourth inning as JOLENE GILES led off with a single, she would later advance to third on a two-out knock by AMBER YOUNG. Unfortunately, that would be the end of the threat as Gigante would get out of the inning.

Patrick Henry would add a run in the bottom of the inning on a SOPHIA SANCHEZ single to center field that scored Gieger.

Another run for Helix in the top of the fifth inning thanks to a double by JIOVANA NUANEZ which allowed Bordine to come home to make it 13-3. That would be all the Highlanders would muster as Gigante was able to retire the next three batters in order.

Gigante for the Patriots picked up the victory as she tossed a five-inning complete game in which she gave up three runs on eight hits, she also walked four and struck out five. Patrick Henry on the day with their four home runs as a team put themselves in the CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION record book. Their home runs on the day tied them for fourth on the all-time list.

Helix’s next game action is scheduled for April 6, when they will host the San Diego High School Cavers in the start of Slugger Madness Tournament play.