Keeping a strong preseason going, the Escalon JV Lady Cougars softball team handled Linden and Liberty Ranch in action this week.

They traveled to Linden for a March 21 game, taking a 9-2 victory off the field. Escalon scored single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings, along with two in the second and four in the third.

“We got a two-run homer in the second inning from Kayla Kemp,” said head coach Malinda Walker. “We had a third inning rally that included three doubles from Jessie Fernandez, Lexi Underwood and Arabella Strach.”

Kylee DuBois got the start on the mound and pitched three innings with five strikeouts; Strach came on in relief and closed out the game, striking out six.

Thursday, the girls were home to host Liberty Ranch out of Galt and were tested, but held firm and won by a 6-1 final.

“Liberty Ranch set the tone by using a bunting strategy in the first but we were able to defend very well,” said Walker. “We had Kayla Kemp playing first and Marissa Gonzalez playing third, they did not score in the first.”

Escalon, meanwhile, countered with two runs in the first, three in the second and one in the sixth.

“In the first, we got a leadoff single from Jessie Fernandez, a walk to Kylee Dubois and a two-RBI double from Madison Kimble,” Walker noted.

Strach got the start on Thursday and pitched five solid innings, striking out 10. DuBois pitched the final two, striking out one.

“Both games this week were great competition,” Walker said. “We look forward to seeding Liberty Ranch again in April, they are a great team.”

The JV girls will look to play well as they start league play once they return from this week’s spring break.