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Cougar Softball Girls Take Two Of Three Games
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Falling in their season opener to Modesto Christian, the Lady Cougar varsity softball squad bounced back with a pair of wins in the opening round of the Riverbank Tournament on Thursday.

The girls lost at Modesto Christian on Tuesday, March 1 by a 4-2 decision. They scored a run in the third to cut the Modesto Christian lead to 2-1, as the host squad jumped on them early with two runs in the first inning. Two more runs came in for MC in the bottom of the fourth, Escalon scratched back for a single tally in the top of the seventh but couldn't get any more. The Lady Cougars had four hits on the day and committed two errors, Modesto Christian had five hits and made two errors. Jen Costa got the start on the mound for Escalon and went the distance with battery mate Shannon Krein.

The JV girls, meanwhile, were winners in their game with Modesto Christian.

In Thursday action, the girls faced off first against Trans-Valley League rival Ripon and defeated them 4-2, then shut out Bret Harte in the second game, 4-0.

The Lady Cougars scored two runs in the first, one in the third and one in the fourth against Ripon, with Mandy San Julian connecting for two RBIs with a 2-for-3 game, rapping out two triples. Krein was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and starter Megan Velting scattered three hits in going all five innings. Ripon had two errors, Escalon had one error and notched five hits.

Against Bret Harte, starter Costa allowed just one hit and helped herself at the plate with a 2-for-4 afternoon with an RBI. Stephanie Jones also went 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Escalon made three errors but Bret Harte could not capitalize.

With rain washing out the tournament schedule on Friday, the varsity girls ended the week with a 2-1 mark. They were slated to play at Manteca on Tuesday, March 8 and then will be taking part in the Jackson Tournament over the weekend.