Valencia’s McDonald delivers game-winning hit; Plus, scores from around the Foothill League.
Valencia softball coach Sean Pollard believes the luck of the Irish was on the Vikings’ side in the win over Hart on Tuesday.
With the game tied at three apiece in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Vikings’ Sydner Bolder hit a leadoff single to get on base.
After Bolder got on base, Aubrie Jensen got on base with a bunt that got past the Hawks’ infield, advancing Bolder and putting the Vikings in scoring opportunity.
With one out, and two runners on base, Valencia’s Stella McDonald hit a one-run single to drive in Bolder and walked off the visiting Hawks to win, 4-3.
After the game Pollard said that with McDonald being Irish and the game falling on St. Patrick’s Day, it was fate that McDonald delivered the game winner for Valencia (5-3, 1-0).
“Stella McDonald got us the shot towards the end. And with McDonald being quite Irish, and it being St. Paddy’s Day, they fought hard,” he said.
Pollard added that he was proud of his team’s effort in the eighth inning with Bolder and Jensen getting on base and added that it took total team play to get the win.
“Great at bat by Sydney Bolder and Aubrie Jense struggled a little bit at the plate, but that bunt was just perfect,” he said.
In the circle, Keira Rand ended the day as the winning pitcher after having thrown eight innings, allowing six hits and two runs.
Rand relieved freshman Emily Contreras in the first inning after Contreras allowed a leadoff home run to Hawks’ freshman Kailyn Dodson.
After the game, Pollard said Rand is getting her strength back and was glad to see her go the distance and pick the team up.
“She seems like she’s getting her strength back and we’re able to lengthen her now which is big,” he said. “We’re going to need Emily Contreras, but Keira Rand did a great job of locking everything down again.”
In the circle for the Hawks, Gabriella Kobliska threw for 7.2 innings, struck out 10 and although she allowed four runs, only one was earned.
With the win, the Vikings opened Foothill League play with a 1-0 record and will look to build upon their momentum at home Thursday against the visiting Saugus Centurions.
As for Hart (4-5, 1-1), the Hawks dropped their first game of the league season and are 1-1 through two games.
The Hawks will look to bounce back on Tuesday against the Golden Valley Grizzlies at home.
Both games are set to begin at 3:15 p.m.
After Tuesday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Saugus 13, Canyon 2: The Saugus Centurions (7-5, 2-0) secured the home win over the Canyon Cowboys (3-8, 0-2) and began the Foothill League season 2-0.
For Saugus, senior Amelia Johnson hit two home runs and drove in four runs throughout the game.
Junior Riley Bennet-Murray also hit a home run and was 3-for-3 at the plate.
In the circle, Kona Ramsbottom threw four innings, struck out four, and allowed two runs but ended the day as the winning pitcher.
The Cowboys were led by senior Karina Montero, who finished the day 1-for-3 at the plate, including a home run.
Canyon will look to bounce back on Thursday at home against the West Ranch Wildcats with first pitch scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
The Centurions will look to build upon their momentum at Valencia High School against the Vikings with the game set to begin at 3:15 p.m.
West Ranch 13, Castaic 5: The West Ranch Wildcats (9-1, 2-0) opened the league season 2-0 following a road win over the Castaic Coytes (4-3, 0-2) on Tuesday.
The Wildcats complied 14 hits in the win with freshman Mila Zolriasatain having the biggest day at the plate with three runs driven in, going 1-for-3.
West Ranch will look to continue the winning momentum at Canyon High School against the Cowboys on Thursday.
The Coyotes will look to bounce back Thursday on the road at Golden Valley against the Grizzlies.
Both games are set to begin at 3:15 p.m.
Photos below from Valencia’s win over Hart:
