The road was a friendly place for Escalon's varsity Lady Cougars this week.
They found the hitting groove at Livingston on Wednesday and shelled the host team, 19-1.
"We had one good inning where we scored 12 runs," said coach Dianne Teixeira. "That was in the fifth inning and the key was a grand slam by Mandy San Julian, it went over the fence in right field."
San Julian was 2-for-5 on the afternoon, Jen Costa was 3-for-5 with three singles, Megan Velting was 2-for-3 with a double.
The visiting Lady Cougars jumped out with seven runs in the fourth inning, erasing an early one-run deficit, then put 12 more on the board in the fifth.
"They scored first, on an error," Teixeira said of Livingston.
But then it was all Escalon, with several players joining the hit parade.
"Shannon Krein was 3-for-5 with three singles and an RBI," noted Teixeira. "Amanda Ainsworth was 3-for-4 with two RBI."
Velting pitched a complete game for the win, allowing no hits. She struck out five and walked none. Designated hitter Costa knocked in three runs and scored three, San Julian had a total of five runs batted in for the game.
"We had a total of 18 hits," said Teixeira. "It was a nice game to have."
Velting was perfect on the mound and got more than ample support from her teammates.
But Friday at home, the girls battled Hilmar before losing in extra innings, falling by a 6-3 final.
Hilmar scored a single run in the fourth, Escalon tied it up in the sixth. San Julian got on a with a double, Erica Bogar singled to drive the run home. Hilmar broke through for five in the eighth and though the Lady Cougars got two runs in the bottom of the inning, that's the way the game ended. Five Escalon errors contributed to the Hilmar run total.
"They took the lead in the eighth, they got a single, then we made an out," explained Teixeira. "Then we made two errors, they got a walk, we had a fielders choice, then two singles."
Refusing to go quietly in the bottom of the eighth, the Lady Cougars scratched back for a couple of runs.
"We had the bases loaded with one out," said Teixeira. "We got a couple in."
Sara Welch walked and stole second, San Julian doubled to drive her in and then San Julian came around to score on another Bogar single.
A couple wasn't enough, though, as the Hilmar girls took the win. Pitcher Costa scattered six hits, Escalon rapped out seven on the afternoon.
The girls were slated to play three games this week, making up a game at Hughson on Monday, May 2. They host Ripon Christian on Wednesday and will be at Ripon on Friday.
"All the rainouts really messed the schedule up," Teixeira admitted, noting the team will have a couple of weeks where they will have to play three games.
"We need to win everything now to make it to playoffs," she added.
Game time for all three contests this week will be 4 p.m.
By MARG JACKSON
They found the hitting groove at Livingston on Wednesday and shelled the host team, 19-1.
"We had one good inning where we scored 12 runs," said coach Dianne Teixeira. "That was in the fifth inning and the key was a grand slam by Mandy San Julian, it went over the fence in right field."
San Julian was 2-for-5 on the afternoon, Jen Costa was 3-for-5 with three singles, Megan Velting was 2-for-3 with a double.
The visiting Lady Cougars jumped out with seven runs in the fourth inning, erasing an early one-run deficit, then put 12 more on the board in the fifth.
"They scored first, on an error," Teixeira said of Livingston.
But then it was all Escalon, with several players joining the hit parade.
"Shannon Krein was 3-for-5 with three singles and an RBI," noted Teixeira. "Amanda Ainsworth was 3-for-4 with two RBI."
Velting pitched a complete game for the win, allowing no hits. She struck out five and walked none. Designated hitter Costa knocked in three runs and scored three, San Julian had a total of five runs batted in for the game.
"We had a total of 18 hits," said Teixeira. "It was a nice game to have."
Velting was perfect on the mound and got more than ample support from her teammates.
But Friday at home, the girls battled Hilmar before losing in extra innings, falling by a 6-3 final.
Hilmar scored a single run in the fourth, Escalon tied it up in the sixth. San Julian got on a with a double, Erica Bogar singled to drive the run home. Hilmar broke through for five in the eighth and though the Lady Cougars got two runs in the bottom of the inning, that's the way the game ended. Five Escalon errors contributed to the Hilmar run total.
"They took the lead in the eighth, they got a single, then we made an out," explained Teixeira. "Then we made two errors, they got a walk, we had a fielders choice, then two singles."
Refusing to go quietly in the bottom of the eighth, the Lady Cougars scratched back for a couple of runs.
"We had the bases loaded with one out," said Teixeira. "We got a couple in."
Sara Welch walked and stole second, San Julian doubled to drive her in and then San Julian came around to score on another Bogar single.
A couple wasn't enough, though, as the Hilmar girls took the win. Pitcher Costa scattered six hits, Escalon rapped out seven on the afternoon.
The girls were slated to play three games this week, making up a game at Hughson on Monday, May 2. They host Ripon Christian on Wednesday and will be at Ripon on Friday.
"All the rainouts really messed the schedule up," Teixeira admitted, noting the team will have a couple of weeks where they will have to play three games.
"We need to win everything now to make it to playoffs," she added.
Game time for all three contests this week will be 4 p.m.
By MARG JACKSON
