A one-out error in the first inning was all that stood between Antioch pitcher Bailee Reed and a perfect game on Monday afternoon, as the Panthers routed Las Lomas, 14-0.
A hard ground ball to second base in the first inning gave the Knights their only base runner of the game, as Reed was simply dominant for the remainder of the afternoon. The sophomore did not issue a walk, did not allow a hit, and struck out 15 batters, including the last eight she faced.
“She was dealing,” said Antioch coach Nick Wisely. “Her curveball was working real well, and she pitched ahead in the count all game long. It was just a dominant performance.”
Indeed, Reed went to a three-ball count just once in the game, during the third inning. And her offense gave her an early lead, scoring twice in the second inning before later ending things with a nine-run sixth inning.
Reed helped herself at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two runs scored from the leadoff spot, while Haley Painter led the Panthers with three hits, including a double. The big blow, however, came from the bat of Ayanna Sanchez, who also happens to be Antioch’s top returning pitcher. Sanchez lifted a two-run homer to center field in the sixth inning, her first-ever high school home run over a fence. And it could not have come at a more surprising time for the senior standout.
“Ayanna was just cleared to play,” Wisely commented. “She has battled illness, and missed a lot of time, and just last week they thought she was going to be out for a while longer. It was great to see her come back strong.”
Junior Jayleen Sepulveda also tripled during the sixth inning outburst, while Alissa West, Priscilla Self, and Jazmine Alanis all finished the game with a pair of runs batted in.
Antioch hosts Clayton Valley on Tuesday, while Las Lomas looks to bounce back against Hayward.
Watsonville’s Rodriguez nearly perfect
Watsonville junior Jessica Rodriguez was one walk away from a perfect game on Monday, as Watsonville blanked Monte Vista Christian, 11-0.
The UNLV commit struck out 11 and did not allow any hits, as the Wildcatz ended the game after five innings, breaking things open with a seven-run first inning.
Senior Savanah Quintana went 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and two RBI, while Rodriguez helped her own cause by going 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Junior Juliana Wilson went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI.
Watsonville hosts Aptos this Friday, while MVC hosts Trinity Christian on Tuesday.
Evans, Bridges combine on no-hitter for Pilots
Caroline Evans and Caroline Bridges combined to strike out 15 batters and throw a no-hitter in St. Joseph Notre Dame’s 11-0 win over Kennedy-Richmond on Monday afternoon.
Not a single Kennedy player put the ball in play, as all 15 outs were recorded via strikeout. Evans struck out nine and did not allow a base-runner over the first three innings, while Bridges struck out six and walked one over the final two innings. The lone walk came on a full count with two outs in the fifth and final inning, which was the only blemish in an otherwise perfect combined performance.
Both pitchers also starred at the plate, as Bridges went 3-for-3 with a triple and a double, while Evans went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
Granada edges Liberty
A pair of sixth inning runs made the difference for Granada on Monday afternoon, as the Matadors rallied to edge Liberty, 2-1.
Liberty’s line-up started hot in the top of the first inning, as the first three batters all singled, with Emily Muniz driving in Jessica Topor with her hit to left field. Granada pitcher Emma Duckworth settled down from that point, however, and kept the Lions off the scoreboard for the remainder of the day.
The Matadors finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Angel Duffy’s bunt resulted in an error, allowing Shelby Straume to score the tying run. Duckworth then lofted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Tatum Hayes with the winning run. Duckworth set the Lions down in order in the top of the seventh to complete the victory. She finished the game with eight strikeouts, including the last two outs of the game.
Liberty looks to bounce back at San Leandro on Tuesday, while Granada hosts Arroyo on Tuesday.
Mitty blanks Leland
Mitty pitcher Savanna Smith struck out six and allowed just two hits, as the Monarchs blanked Leland, 4-0, on Monday afternoon.
Hana DeGuzman sparked the lineup with a pair of hits from the leadoff spot, while driving in a run and scoring one of the Mitty runs. Katie Matherley and Alyssa Valdez each drove in runs as well, as the Monarchs put the game away with three runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Los Gatos takes down Branham in slugfest
Los Gatos and Branham combined for 32 hits on Monday afternoon, with LG emerging with a 16-11 victory.
Alaana Panu had three hits and scored three times for Los Gatos, while Annika Briski delivered one of the big blows for the Wildcats, doubling and driving in three runs, while also walking three times. Mira Sharma also had a pair of RBI for Los Gatos.
Irene Wong went 4-for-4 for Branham, while sophomore Ashley Donaldson went 4-for-5 and senior Zylee Augenstein delivered a two-run homer in the loss.
