Allowing just one run in two games, both contests went in the win column for Escalon's varsity softball girls.
A 1-0 shutout was a non-league win over Hilmar, while a 10-1 thrashing came against Ripon Christian in the Trans-Valley League opener.
In action Tuesday, March 16, the girls manufactured a run, with Casey Schmidig hit by a pitch, stealing a base, advancing on an error and scoring from third when a pickoff attempt throw got past the bag.
"We left five runners on base," coach Dianne Teixeira said, noting that the girls got the win but didn't capitalize on other scoring opportunities.
Escalon had one run on two hits with one error; Hilmar had no runs on one hit and two errors.
Sam Lorigo and Tori Jones, each with a single, had the only hits for Escalon.
Hosting Ripon Christian on Thursday, March 18, Escalon put the TVL opener in the win column with some late inning big hits, including a grand slam off the bat of Rachel Frasier.
In the first inning, Schmidig was hit by a pitch, Lounette Jackson walked and Caitlin Brooks singled to drive in Schmidig. Another run came across the plate in the second, with Lorigo reaching on an error, stealing a base and then moving up and around to score on a pair of passed balls.
Jones singled and stole a base in the fourth, Lorigo walked, Katie Heflin reached on an error that allowed a run to score and Lorigo and Heflin alertly ran the bases on a routine ground out, both crossing the plate when the fielder did not look them back and they both took off on the play.
"They took advantage," Teixeira said of the smart base running. Escalon put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs in the inning. Lorigo started it off with a single, Heflin singled and Jen Shipley worked out a walk to load the bases. Schmidig walked to drive in one run, sending Frasier to the plate. With Ripon Christian meeting on the mound, Teixeira took that time to offer Frasier some insight into approaching the situation, urging her to just make some contact with the ball. Taking the advice to heart, Frasier ripped a ball over the centerfielder's head and before the fielder could track it down at the base of the fence, the bases were cleared of Lady Cougars and it was a 10-1 advantage for the home team.
Ripon Christian scored its only run in the second, capitalizing on a couple of errors. Pitcher Caitlin Brooks put them away in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
"She faced 24 batters, had 18 strikeouts and one walk," Teixeira said of Brooks, who tossed a no-hitter.
Ripon Christian had four errors on the day.
Escalon had seven hits and two errors.
Of the seven hits, six of them were singles, from six different players. Schmidig, Jackson, Brooks, Jones, Lorigo and Heflin all singled, while Frasier had the only extra base hit, the home run.
A 1-0 shutout was a non-league win over Hilmar, while a 10-1 thrashing came against Ripon Christian in the Trans-Valley League opener.
In action Tuesday, March 16, the girls manufactured a run, with Casey Schmidig hit by a pitch, stealing a base, advancing on an error and scoring from third when a pickoff attempt throw got past the bag.
"We left five runners on base," coach Dianne Teixeira said, noting that the girls got the win but didn't capitalize on other scoring opportunities.
Escalon had one run on two hits with one error; Hilmar had no runs on one hit and two errors.
Sam Lorigo and Tori Jones, each with a single, had the only hits for Escalon.
Hosting Ripon Christian on Thursday, March 18, Escalon put the TVL opener in the win column with some late inning big hits, including a grand slam off the bat of Rachel Frasier.
In the first inning, Schmidig was hit by a pitch, Lounette Jackson walked and Caitlin Brooks singled to drive in Schmidig. Another run came across the plate in the second, with Lorigo reaching on an error, stealing a base and then moving up and around to score on a pair of passed balls.
Jones singled and stole a base in the fourth, Lorigo walked, Katie Heflin reached on an error that allowed a run to score and Lorigo and Heflin alertly ran the bases on a routine ground out, both crossing the plate when the fielder did not look them back and they both took off on the play.
"They took advantage," Teixeira said of the smart base running. Escalon put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs in the inning. Lorigo started it off with a single, Heflin singled and Jen Shipley worked out a walk to load the bases. Schmidig walked to drive in one run, sending Frasier to the plate. With Ripon Christian meeting on the mound, Teixeira took that time to offer Frasier some insight into approaching the situation, urging her to just make some contact with the ball. Taking the advice to heart, Frasier ripped a ball over the centerfielder's head and before the fielder could track it down at the base of the fence, the bases were cleared of Lady Cougars and it was a 10-1 advantage for the home team.
Ripon Christian scored its only run in the second, capitalizing on a couple of errors. Pitcher Caitlin Brooks put them away in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
"She faced 24 batters, had 18 strikeouts and one walk," Teixeira said of Brooks, who tossed a no-hitter.
Ripon Christian had four errors on the day.
Escalon had seven hits and two errors.
Of the seven hits, six of them were singles, from six different players. Schmidig, Jackson, Brooks, Jones, Lorigo and Heflin all singled, while Frasier had the only extra base hit, the home run.
