Local high school softball teams managed to get in a couple of games in limited spring break action, as Analy slipped by non-league opponents Pinole Valley (3-0) and Tamalpais (6-1), while El Molino came up just short in a 17-12, 8-inning slugfest against Fort Bragg.
At the time of this writing both teams were preparing to resume the league schedule, with the Lions playing home and away dates against Piner (April 10) and Healdsburg (April 12, 5 p.m.), while the Tigers host Petaluma in a critical clash on April 10 and visit Elsie Allen on April 12 (4 p.m.). Analy will travel to Sonoma Valley next Monday, April 16 (4 p.m.).
Tigers get hot
Analy (7-4, 1-0) seems to be hitting its mid-season stride following it recent wins, beginning with a 3-0 shutout victory over perennial power Pinole Valley on April 3. The Tigers tallied a solo run in the first and tacked on a pair of insurance scores in their final at-bat to secure the win.
Pitcher Carson Rasmussen continued to impress, scattering five hits while fanning seven in a complete-game effort. Top hitters were Claire Nelson (1 for 3, run, RBI), Gianna Bianchi (1 for 3), Leah Lawrence (1 for 2), Makayla Kraemer (1 for 3, 2B, run, RBI) and Cameron Cordoza (1 for 3).
Analy entertained a strong Tamalpais squad on April 5, staking Rasmussen (7 IP, 7 hits, ER, 2 Ks) to a 4-0 first-inning cushion and never let up on its way to a 6-1 win. Leading the hitting corps were Kraemer (3 for 4, 2B, run, 2 RBIs), Cordoza (2 for 4, run, RBI), Rasmussen (2 for 4, run), Leah Lawrence (2 for 4, run), Bianchi (1 for 4, run), Nicole Mearns (1 for 4, 2B, run, RBI) and Nelson (1 for 3, run, RBI).
Franceschi leads Tiger JV
The Tiger’s JV squad was not to be outdone last week, recording a 7-0 shutout win over Pinole Valley. Freshman pitcher Olivia Franceschi was sensational, tossing a complete-game, three-hitter while striking out 13 to claim the win. Top hitters were Morgan McNamee (3 for 4, 2 2Bs, run), Maggie Pratt (2 for 2, run), Franceschi (2 for 3, run, 3 RBIs), Izabella Garza (1 for 1,Julia Goldin (1 for 2, run), Marissa Ramirez (1 for 4, 2B, run), RBI) and Macayla Craig (1 for 4, run, RBI).
Lions break out bats
Despite a loss, the Lions played one of their best games of the season in an April 5 battle with visiting Fort Bragg, needing 8 innings to decide the contest. The Lions led 7-1 after three full before weathering a 9-run, fifth-inning explosion from the Timberwolves. The game moved to the eighth knotted at 12-apiece when Fort Bragg pushed five runs across to emerge with a 17-12 victory.
“We lost, but that was the best the girls have looked in a long time,” El Mo coach Steve Newcomb reported. “They never gave up.”
Erika Olson (8 IP, 14 hits, 6 ERs, 4 Ks) took a tough loss, while leading hitters included Lacy Alberigi (4 for 5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Olson (3 for 4, 2B, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Mel Deleon (2 for 3, 2 runs, RBI), Bridget Niclaes (1 for 5, run, 2 RBIs), Grace St. Marie (1 for 4, run), Victoria Briano (1 for 4, run, RBI) and Natalie Alberigi (1 for 4).
