Wolf Pack grab city Gold Glove game

By Adam Paul
Updated: March 7, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

SANTEE – Behind 10 hits on the day the West Hills Wolf Pack would come with a 5-0 victory over city rival Santana in the annual Gold Glove Mayor’s Cup game on Wednesday afternoon.

With the skies ready to open up at any moment with rain the West Hills Wolf Pack took advantage early on as they pushed across all five runs over the first three innings of play.

West Hills behind Samiya Wright (1-2, RBI) who singled in a run, and Lili Leija (RBI) who grounded out which allowed a run to score would lead 2-0.

They would add to their lead in the top of the second inning thanks to Kristina Deal (1-3, R, RBI, 2B) who hit a ball deep enough in center field that Sophie Martinez (3-3, R, RBI) tagged up and scored. Another run courtesy of Katy Spargo (3-3, RBI) who followed up with a base hit to center allowing Maddie Aylesbury (1-4, R, SB) to come in would give them a 4-0 lead.

Martinez with two outs in the top of the third inning would drive a shot to right field for an RBI single to make it 5-0. Scoring on the base hit was Faith Balestreri (1-3, R).

The Sultans would have their opportunities to push across runs starting in the bottom of the first inning as they would load the bases which included a pair of walks and a base hit by Kaitlyn Ruckle but unfortunately, all would be stranded as Ava Goodman induced a pair of fly outs and a strikeout.

Again with another opportunity, the Sultans would put a runner on second with one out in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of Emma Schneider (3-3, 2B) who roped a double to right field. Once again Goodman would get out of the jam without any damage.

Goodman would pick up the win for the Wolf Pack as she went the full seven innings in which she allowed zero runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out five. On the other side for the Sultans, Aurelia Dawson took the loss as she allowed four runs on six hits in one and two-thirds innings. Bella Zuckerman came in and finished out going five and a third innings giving up a run on four hits.

The win for West Hills moves them to 2-3-1 while Santana falls to 5-3.

West Hills snaps a 9-game losing streak to the Sultans and claims the Gold Glove Mayor’s Cup for the first time since May 30th of 2017 when they won 5-3. This was the first time that the Pack has shut out the Sultans since a 10-0 run rule contest on April 28th of 2015 when the game was played annually at the Santee Sportsplex.