Local high school softball teams are steaming toward likely North Coast Section playoff berths this week, looking to close out their respective league schedules on a positive note.
The Analy Tigers (5-3, 9-9-1) continued a second-half push toward the postseason with road shutout wins over Ukiah and Maria Carrillo to maintain a share of second place with Windsor, two games back of first place Rancho Cotate (7-1) with just two games left on the schedule.
At press time the Tigers were preparing to host Windsor on April 30, and close out the NBL campaign at Rancho Cotate on Thursday, May 2 at 4 p.m. Also looming on the horizon are berths in both the NBL Oak Division and NCS Division 3 playoffs.
Analy scores wins
The Tigers had their hitting shoes securely fastened in their April 23 visit to Ukiah, pushing across 12 runs in the second inning en route to an 18-0 rout in five innings. Olivia Franceschi (3 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 4 Ks) notched the win while Carson Rasmussen (2 IP, 1 hit, 3 Ks) also threw well for Analy. Leading hitters were Samantha Caughie (3 for 3, 3 runs, RBI), Rasmussen (3 for 5, 2B, 3 runs, 3 RBIs), Cameron Cordoza (2 for 3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Franceschi (2 for 3, run, 2 RBIs) and Catlin Caughie (2 for 2, 2 runs).
Rasmussen (7 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 3 Ks) logged a mound gem in the April 25 visit to Maria Carrillo, locking horns with Puma ace Makena Goldbeck. The game was mired in a scoreless tie until the sixth, when Samantha Caughie (2 for 3, 3B, RBI) tripled home Chloe Hadrich (2 for 3, run) with the only run of the contest as Analy escaped with a 1-0 win. Other leading hitters for the Tigers were Leah Lawrence (1 for 3), Catlin Caughie (1 for 3) and Makayla Kraemer (1 for 4).
Lions gain splitÂ
The El Molino Lions continued a resurgent 2019 campaign with an even split in a pair of games, beginning on April 23 with an exciting 8-7, win at Santa Rosa. Â
Freshman Katelynn Tourady (8 IP, 15 hits, 7 ERs, 8 Ks) logged a gritty effort to earn the victory, while top El Mo hitters included Erika Olson (4 for 5, 2B, 3B, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Tourady (3 for 5, 3 RBIs), Natalie Alberigi (2 for 3, 2 runs), Bridget Niclaes (2 for 4, 2B, 4 runs, RBI) and Grace St. Marie (1 for 4, RBI).
The Lions were on the wrong end of a lopsided score at the hands of first place Cardinal Newman on April 25. The Cardinals iced it with 12 runs in the opening frame and never looked back en route to a 23-1 rout in five innings.
Sheila Ruiz collected the lone hit of the game for the Lions.
El Molino (5-3, 9-9) will close out the regular season this week with home and away games against Piner (April 30, after press time) and at Healdsburg (May 2, 6 p.m.). The Lions are also a near lock to extend their season in both the NBL Redwood Division and NCS Division 4 playoffs this month.
