Tigers softballers fall to Petaluma, Sonoma; Lions maul wolves

Analy shakes off losses, eyes playoffs
There will be no title repeat for defending league softball champion Analy this year after tough losses to Petaluma (6-2) and Sonoma Valley (7-6), but the Tigers may yet win the war as they prepare for a strong postseason run.
Analy (7-3, 15-7) was knocked into third place with the setbacks and will likely settle for a number three seed in next week’s Sonoma County League Tournament that begins Tuesday, May 15 in Sebastopol and will be a virtual lock when the North Coast Section seeding committee convenes on May 20.  The Tigers will close out the SCL schedule with road dates at Piner (May 8, after press time) and Healdsburg (May, 10, 4 p.m.).
The Tigers were out for a clean sweep in a May 4 visit to Petaluma, but it was their opponent that would repay the favor in a 6-2 Trojan’s win. Petaluma jumped out to a 5-0 first inning lead and killed potential Tigers rallies with three double plays to hang on for a hard-earned victory. Analy pitcher Carson Rasmussen (6 IP, 12 hits, 6 ERs) took the loss while top hitters were Rasmussen (3 for 4), Samantha Caughie (2 for 3, RBI), Nicole Mearns (2 for 3, run), Gianna Bianchi (1 for 4), Makayla Kraemer (1 for 4) and Cameron Cordoza (1 for 3, run).
Friday’s trip to Sonoma was of the heartbreaking variety, as the Tigers took a 6-3 lead into the seventh before the Dragons rallied for three runs to send it into extra innings knotted at six each. Sonoma pushed across the winning run in the eighth to escape with a 7-6 win. Rasmussen (7.1 IP, 10 hits, 5 ERs, 5 Ks) deserved better, while leading hitters were Claire Nelson (3 for 4, run, 2 RBIs), Kraemer (2 for 4, run), Leah Lawrence (1 for 4, run, RBI), Mearns (1 for 3, run), Cordoza (1 for 4) and Chloe Hadrich (1 for 3, RBI).
Lions notch win
El Molino scored its second win of the league campaign on May 4 against last-place Elsie Allen, jumping on the Lobos in a 10-0, five-inning rout.
Starter Erika Olson (5 IP , 4 hits, 0 runs, 8 Ks) earned the win, while top batters included Hayley Sheridan (3 for 3, 3 runs), Natalie Alberigi (3 for 3, 2 runs, RBI), Jordan Rodger (1 for 3, run, RBI), Grace St. Marie (1 for 3, run, RBI), Justine Bowers (1 for 2, RBI), Olson (1 for 3, RBI), Risa Scott-Smith (1 for 2, 2 runs) and Mel Delion (1 for 3, run).
The Lions began the week with a 14-4 loss at Piner, the highlight being a four-run El Mo rally in the third inning. Olson (5 IP, 18 hits, 13 ERs, 2 Ks) took the loss while top hitters were Bridget Niclaes (1 for 3, RBI), St. Marie (1 for 2, run) and Olson (1 for 3, run, 2 RBIs).  
The Lions will close out the spring campaign at home with upcoming games against Healdsburg (May 8) and Sonoma Valley (May 10, Senior Day, 4 p.m.).