Sixth inning theme for Cougars, Norse

By Adam Paul
Updated: June 9, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

SPRING VALLEY – Steele Canyon (17-10) would break a 2-2 tie and score what would end up being the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning against Del Norte (15-13), and advance with a 3-2 victory in the first round of CIF Division II playoffs on Wednesday (June 9).

Steele Canyon will be on the road for the second round on Friday against top-seeded Helix.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cougars would get a big hit to keep the inning alive. Marley Rimoldi (1-2, R) would single to center field to set up Kamea Seunanne (1-3, RBI) who would hit a hard hit ball to center field for a base hit allowing Kassandra Jaggard (RUN) to score from second base for the go-ahead run.

Early on the Cougars would score a pair of runs which included their first run coming on a ground ball out by Breanna Lakin (1-3, RBI) to score Jazmin Williams (1-3, R, RBI, 2B) to make it 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. They would add another run in the bottom of the second inning when Williams hit a ground ball to short that allowed Lakin to race home for a 2-0 lead.

The Nighthawks would finally breakthrough in the top of the fifth inning when Emma Giaime hit a ground ball to second base where Mariah Mata fielded it and threw it to first for the out but Italia Ibrenica who was at third base raced home for the run which made it 2-1. The following batter with runners on base would hit a hard ball to left field that went for a double that allowed Elaina Esteban to come home and score to tie the game at 2-2. Del Norte could have taken the lead but Emma Shellstrom was able to retire the next batter to end the inning.

Nighthawks starting pitcher Emma Giaime who took the loss went six innings and allowed three runs of which all were earned on six hits while walking two and striking out two.

On the other side, Emma Shellstrom who got the win went seven innings allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out four on the day.

Both Janea Wilson and Allyson Haessly had a hit for the Cougars.

Del Norte will host the eight-seed Hilltop Lancers in an elimination game on Friday at 3:30 PM.

Division III
Valhalla 8, Serra 3
TIERRASANTA – Valhalla would put to bed any thoughts of extra innings as they would break a tie with five runs in the top of the sixth inning to take complete control of its game against Serra, and advance with a five-run victory in their first-round CIF Division III contest on Wednesday (June 9).

With the win, the Norsemen will travel to the North County to take on the three-seed Escondido Charter White Tigers who defeated sixth-seeded El Camino 5-4. The game will be on Thursday (June 10) at 3:30 PM.

Early on though the Conquistadors would push across three runs in the bottom of the first inning to lead 3-0. A two-run single by Lydia Weldon who would later score on a ground ball out by Lenette Demumbra for the other run.

Valhalla would finally breakthrough in the top of the fourth inning starting with a double by Maryn Jordan, she would later score on a base hit by Naomi Villalva, the next batter Marissa Lupo would drive in Bella Moscoso, and Abby Johnston followed by walking which allowed Aubrey Baker to come home to tie the game at 3-3.

Later in the top of the sixth inning, Jordan would line a two-out single to center field to score both Nayeli Chapa and Lupo which allowed the Norsemen to take a 5-3 lead. The next batter Andrea Gonzalez continued the inning with a base hit that scored Villalva and McKayla Fish would hit a ball to center field for a base hit to score Gonzalez but the ball would be misplayed allowing Joran to come in and score to make it 8-3.

Serra would threaten in the bottom of the inning as Weldon led off with a base hit and Alissa Thomas followed that with a double. However, Weldon would be caught trying to steal home and Fish would retire the next two batters to end the inning.

She would only allow a single in the bottom of the seventh inning before inducing a game-ending double play.

Weldon took the loss for the Conquistadors as she allowed eight runs on fourteen hits over seven innings while walking five and striking out three.

For the Norsemen, Fish picked up the victory as she allowed three runs on five hits while walking one and fanning seven over seven innings of work.

With the loss, the Conquistadors will host El Camino in an elimination game.