Plus, scores from around the Foothill League
It took until the third inning for the Wildcats’ softball offense to get rolling.
But once West Ranch found its footing, the Wildcats ran away with the score and won, 14-4, over the Cowboys at Canyon High School on Thursday.
“We’re playing good defense, and we’re pitching well,” West Ranch head coach Michael Merrilees said of his team’s performance. “We’re playing all aspects of the game extremely well.”
After a scoreless first inning, the Cowboys (3-9, 0-3) struck first when Jessie Trigueros hit a one-run single and drove in Vivian Rangel.
The lead was short-lived in the third inning when the Wildcats (10-0, 3-1) tallied six runs on a rally that began when Juliette Merrilees hit a one-run single to drive in Torrey Price.
After the game, Michael Merrilees said he wasn’t worried about his team being held scoreless after the first two innings, and added that softball is played over seven innings and knew his team’s time would come.
“You have to face our hitters for seven innings,” he said. “We like to see pitchers throw a lot of pitches and [hits] can come from any part of our lineup.”
Michael Merrilees added that junior Ava Esparza had a big day at a plate. Esparza went 2-for-3 and hit a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Wildcats improved to 3-1 in league play and Michael Merrilees is hoping to see his team keep up the pace of play no matter who the next opponent is.
“We’ll just show up and keep playing our brand of softball,” he said. “Doesn’t matter the jersey — it’s just another opponent for us.”
The Wildcats’ next league contest is Tuesday against the Saugus Centurions at home with first pitch scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
The Cowboys will look to bounce back in their next league contest, scheduled 3:15 p.m. Thursday against the Golden Valley Grizzlies.
After Thursday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Saugus 3, Valencia 1: The Saugus Centurions (8-5, 3-0) won in a thriller over the Vikings (5-4,1-1) at Valencia High School.
The teams were tied at one apiece after the sixth inning. In the seventh, the Centurions tallied two runs to take the lead.
In the circle, the Centurions’ Riley Nelson went the distance and finished the day with three hits, one run and struck out four.
The Vikings’ right-hander Keira Rand started in the circle and allowed three runs across seven innings while striking out three.
Valencia will look to rebound on Tuesday at Castaic High School against the Coyotes with first pitch scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
The Centurions will look to build upon their momentum on Tuesday on the road against the West Ranch Wildcats at 3:15 p.m.
Castaic 13, Golden Valley 4: The Castaic Coyotes (5-3, 1-2) trailed 4-3 to the Golden Valley Grizzlies (2-7, 0-2) going into the seventh inning.
But after a 10-spot in the top of the seventh, the Coyotes won big to secure their first Foothill League win of the season.
Sophomore Tatum McAfee had the biggest day at the plate for Castaic as she went 2-for-4 with three runs batted in.
In the circle, McAfee also threw for six innings and tallied six strikeouts.
The Coyotes will look to win again on Tuesday against the Vikings at home while the Grizzlies match up with the Hawks at Hart High School.
Both games are set to begin at 3:15 p.m.
Photos below from West Ranch’s win over Canyon:
