MARTINEZ, CA - A battle of top-five ranked teams in the North Coast Section quickly became one-sided, as visiting Heritage built an eight-run lead en route to the 9-3 victory over Alhambra on Tuesday afternoon.
Xiara Diaz staked Heritage (2-0) to an early lead with her one-out solo homer in the top of the first inning, driving a 2-1 pitch to center field off Alhambra starter Bre Edwards. The Patriots quickly added to the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning.
"Everyone knew this was a big game, especially with (Alhambra) moving up to Division 1 this season," said Heritage coach Ron Rivers. "We came in very mentally prepared. I'm very proud of the girls for the way they handled this game."
Alyssa Kirk led off the second with a walk, and Heritage got runners on first and second after Riley Ehlen grounded into a fielder's choice and Juliana Sargent came through with a single. Cameron Zamora then singled to right, scoring Ehlen with the second run of the game. Three batters later, a two-out error allowed Sargent to score and make it a 3-0 game.
After Heritage pitcher Kat Hall allowed just two base runners in the first three innings to the powerful Alhambra lineup, the Patriots blew things open in the top of the fourth. Sargent grounded out to start the frame, but the next seven Heritage batters reached base, with consecutive singles from Anyssia Ramirez, Hall, and Kirk all driving in runs. That made it 8-0 midway through the fourth inning.
Maci Shepherd picked up an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth for the Bulldogs (0-1), scoring Bryanna Waters, who had replaced Regan Silva on the bases following Silva's single with one out.
After Zamora scored on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth, the Patriots ran into their only real trouble of the game in the bottom of the inning, when Ramirez misplayed a two-out fly ball off the bat of Bri Perez, allowing Lindsay Osmer to score. Karlee Sparacino then singled to score Perez, and Silva followed that with her second hit of the game to keep the rally going. Hall retired Miranda Nilson on a line drive to Ramirez in center, however, to get out of the threat.
"I was very proud of Kat for the way she settled back down, and of the team for the way they handled giving up a couple of unearned runs," Rivers said. "We also swung the bat real well throughout the lineup, had a lot of focus and confidence at the plate."
Diaz, Zamora, and Ramirez each had two hits for the Patriots, while Silva and Kimiko Zapanta each had two hits for Alhambra. Hall pitched a complete game for Heritage, allowing just one earned run while striking out three.
Heritage heads to Fresno on Thursday for the Washington Union Invitational, while Alhambra heads to Sparks this weekend for the Reed Tournament.
