Sierra Hillman singles to open the game against MPC
Posted: Mar 04, 2020
In a battle between two of the top teams in the Coast Conference, the West Valley softball team dropped a thrilling 4-3 contest to undefeated Monterey Peninsula Tuesday in Saratoga.
The Vikings (11-4, 0-1 Coast-South) jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Lobos (14-0, 2-0) after two innings thanks to an RBI single from Zoe Mendez in the first and a pair of runs on a pair of MPC errors in the second.
Viking pitcher America Maples was in control, striking out four through two, before giving up a three-run homer to MPC's Honor Siuauelua that tied it at 3-3 in the third.
The Lobos would add an insurance run in the fifth, while the Vikings threatened with runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh.
Angelina Molina singled in the sixth and moved to second on a two-out sacrifice from Hannah Hillman. Leadoff hitter Sierra Hillman then lifted a shot to right that was snagged by a running Lexi Johnson to end the inning.
With two down in the bottom of the seventh, Mendez was plunked by MPC pitcher Emma Guindon. Cayla Williams almost won it for the Vikings when she sent a fly to deep right-center that Johnson gathered in at the fence to end the game.
Maples finished with nine K's and scattered six hits in seven innings. Willams roped a double down the first base line in the fifth and Mendez was 1-2 with an RBI.
The Vikings head to Cabrillo Thursday (3/5) for a big early-season game against the Seahawks (6-12, 1-1). First pitch is 3:00pm.
