COLUSA, CA (MPG) – In what might have been the best-played games of the season thus far for the RedHawks, they fell 0-1 to River Valley then 1-2 to West Valley in consecutive outings last week.
Entertaining River Valley, a Sac-Joaquin section team on Mar. 19, Colusa saw the Falcons put the contest’s only run on the board in the second as a pitcher’s duel ensued between the RedHawks’ Ava Garcia and RVs’ Apple Ward.
Colusa had its best opportunity for a run in the bottom of the first when Elli Santana led off with a single and took second on a ball hit back to the pitcher, but Ward, a crafty lefty, escaped unscathed.
on Mar. 19.
Another opportunity presented itself in the home half of the second after Zaylah Ramirez was hit by a pitch and stole second, but unfortunately, it would be the last time the RedHawks had a runner reach second base.
Credit certainly goes to Garcia for keeping Colusa in the game as she yielded just five hits and one walk, while striking out 11, including twice fanning the final two batters of the inning to extinguish a threat.
Garcia along with Aliah Ramirez accounted for the RedHawks’ only other hits of the game.
by the Falcons.
Afterward, Coach Jamie Lay said in spite of the loss it was a step in the right direction in terms of the development of his team.
“We faced one of the best pitchers we’ve seen to date and we hit some hard balls, but right at people,” said Lay. “That’s just softball and we’re just trying to figure out where everyone fits. It was a good test for us.”
However, the RedHawks faced another challenge the following day against Division IV rival West Valley, whose pitcher was also able quiet the Colusa bats.
It was déjà vu for the RedHawks who found themselves down early once again, this time after the Eagles scratched out a run in the first inning following a bloop hit.
Yet, with Colusa chasing a run, Garcia once more did her part in the circle, keeping West Valley in check for the next five frames and playing a role in tying the game in the bottom of the seventh by leading off with a single and ultimately coming around to score.
Addison Lay came through with the hit that allowed Garcia to move into scoring position.
Still, it wasn’t meant to be for the RedHawks, who surrendered an unearned run in extras that they couldn’t match as they were retired in order in the bottom half of the frame.
Suffering her second straight hard-luck loss, Garcia struck out nine and scattered just three hits.
This week Colusa (6-2) opened Sacramento Valley league play in Durham on Mar. 25 before returning home to complete the series with the Trojans today.