Norse, Sultans spin Classic wins

By Adam Paul
Updated: February 25, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

COUGAR CLASSIC

VALHALLA 6, BRAWLEY 2

ESCONDIDO (2-25-22) – In another fine performance in the circle, Valhalla High’s McKayla Fish (1-3, 2 RBI, 2B) spun another gem as she only allowed a pair of runs on three hits while fanning six over six innings of work to get a 6-2 win over Brawley on Friday.

It wasn’t only Fish who was on fire but the bats of the Norsemen as well as Cadyn Ruffer (2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR) doubled in Maryn Jordan (1-3, 2 R) for the first run which was followed by a two-run double by Fish that brought in both Marissa Lupo (RUN) and Ruffer to make it 3-0 in the top of the third inning.

Brawley would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning when Tamara Carranza hit a ball that was misplayed allowing Brianna Sandoval to race home for the score which made it 3-1.

Still leading 3-1 the Norsemen added a couple of more runs in the top of the fifth inning starting with a solo home run by Ruffer over the center-field fence for her first of the season, later in the inning Brooke Tucci (1-2, RBI) would drive in Lilliana Moscoso (RUN) to make it 5-1. The Wildcats would answer with a run in the bottom of the inning when Carranza again did the damage as she doubled in Isabella Yescas to make it 5-2.

Valhalla wasn’t done and would add their final run in the top of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly ball by Ruffer to bring home Jordan.

The win by the Norsemen improves their record to 2-0 and now they will wait to see who their opponent will be for Saturday’s contest.

Santana 4, University City 3 (5 inn)

In what ended up being a tight contest the Santana Sultans held onto the win despite University City scoring a pair of runs to make it a one-run contest in the top of the fifth inning.

The Centurions would actually get on the board first via a two-out RBI single in the top of the first to lead 1-0 early on.

However, the Sultans didn’t fret as Taylinn Warren (2-2, 2 R, 2B) led off the bottom of the inning with a double, she would come around to score a couple of batters later when Kassidy Harper (2-3, 2 RBI, 3B) tripled to right field which knotted the game at 1-1.

Moving to the bottom of the third inning the bats and offense for the Sultans came alive again as Jordyn Beatty (RBI) drove in Warren on a ground ball out to give them a 2-1 lead, Harper would follow with an RBI single bringing in Samantha Sullivan (1-2, R) and Madison Jordan (R, SB) would later steal home to extend the lead to 4-1.

Gracie Johnson for the Sultans despite giving up four walks only allowed one run on five hits and struck out one in the victory, Aurella Dawson came into relief for one inning in which she allowed two runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one.

The win is the first on the season for the Sultans as they improve to 1-2 and like others will wait to see who their opponent is on Saturday,

Ramona 4, Patrick Henry 2

A strong pitching performance by Bulldogs pitcher Nevaeh Haywood in which she struck out eight over five innings of work while only allowing two runs provides Ramona with its first win on the season.

Ramona would strike first with a big blow as Breanna Lutz blasted a two-run homer over the center-field fence to give them a 2-0 lead early on. Later in the inning with two outs they would add another run with an RBI triple to lead 3-0.

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning Patrick Henry would finally get some momentum as McKenna Geiger jacked a solo shot over the left-field fence to make it 4-1. The Patriots would score again in the bottom of the fifth inning when Brooke Taylor would come into score on a Ramona miscue which cut the deficit in half 4-2. Unfortunately, that would be the closest the Patriots would get.

Bonita Vista 10, Steele Canyon 4 (4 inn.)

In what was a shortened contest due to time constraints the Bonita Vista Barons used a fourteen-hit attack to barrage the Steele Canyon Cougars on Friday for the convincing win.

For the Cougars, Jazmin Williams (2-3, 2 RBI, 2B) would double in both Isabella Smith (RUN) and Allyson Haessly (RUN), and Madison Villaescuas (RBI) would knock in Sa’Ni Marshall (RUN) via a ground ball out for the RBI. The other run of the contest came on a base hit by Abby Curran that allowed Mariah Mata to come into score.

The Cougars fall to 3-2 and will wait to see who their opponent is for Saturday’s contest.