The Centurions’ Amelia Johnson has been with the Saugus softball team for her entire high school career. And following a 9-5 win over the West Ranch Wildcats on Thursday, the senior catcher broke the all-time Saugus High School record for runs batted in.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Johnson said of what breaking the record meant for her. “All the hard work has led up to this and I’m just really happy.”
Johnson, who was last season’s softball Foothill League MVP, is having another career year as she leads the Centurions (15-7, 9-0) in home runs and runs batted in this year.
In the win over the Wildcats (16-7, 7-2), Johnson hit her eighth homer of the year in the first inning that powered the Centurions’ offense to begin the game.
After the game, Saugus head coach Kyle Mark spoke on Johnson’s performance and said she’s worked hard over the last four years, and they’re seeing the hard work pay off now.
Mark also said that this year’s senior group has been having a special season as Savanna Smith broke the all-time hits record at Saugus High School earlier in the year.
“[Amelia Johnson] busted for four years and just worked, and worked, and worked,” he said. “These girls are special, and I’m just lucky to be their coach.”
Johnson ended the day 2-for-4 at the plate with three runs driven in and is committed to continuing her athletic career at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
With the win, the Centurions secured their ninth Foothill League win of the season and sit atop the softball standings with a 9-0 record.
As for West Ranch, the loss dropped the Wildcats to 7-2 in league play and second in the standings.
In the loss, Kara Carnes and Ava Esparza homered throughout the game as the Wildcats tallied five runs across 12 hits.
The Wildcats will look to bounce back in league play on the road Tuesday against the Valencia Vikings while the Centurions play again at home over the Hart Hawks.
Both games are scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m.
After Thursday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Valencia 7, Castaic 5: The Valencia Vikings (9-6, 5-3) secured their fifth Foothill League win of the season in a victory over the Castaic Coyotes (7-8, 2-7) on the road.
With the win, the Vikings sit in the fourth spot of the Foothill League standings with a 5-3 record and will look to build upon their momentum on Tuesday at home against the West Ranch Wildcats.
As for Castaic, the Coyotes fall to fifth in the standings with a 2-7 record and will look to rebound on Monday at home against the visiting Grizzlies.
Both games are scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m.
Hart 12, Golden Valley 0: Following a win over the Grizzlies (4-14, 0-8), the Hawks (11-10, 6-3) secured their sixth league win of the season and sit in third in the Foothill League standings.
The Hawks are winners of their last three games and play again in league play on Tuesday at Saugus High School for a matchup against the Centurions.
For Golden Valley, the Grizzlies remain winless in league play and will look to bounce back on Monday in a road matchup against the Coyotes.
Both games are scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m.
