TOP RANKED CSM SMACKS RIVAL OHLONE TO TAKE OVER FIRST PLACE IN COAST NORTH

SAN MATEO -- Melina Rodriquez and Brooke Ramsey smashed home runs to lead state-top-ranked College of San Mateo past rival Ohlone College, 7-3, to take over sole possession of first place in the Coast North Conference women's softball race.

            Ohlone had come into the contest at 5-0, a half-game ahead of the Bulldogs -- who are now 5-0 and 22-1 overall (still the state's only 20-game winner). Ohlone fell to 5-1 and 11-7.

CSM's state-leading winning streak reached 18 games! None of California's remaining 83 teams has won more than 16 games this season.

            Rodriquez (a freshman out of James Logan High School, Fremont) set the stage against Ohlone with her two-run blast over the center field fence in the second inning. Ramsey (Aragon, San Mateo) keyed a four-run third inning with her two run shot. Skania Lemus contributed a pair of doubles, scored a run, and had a RBI. Kayleen Smith (James Logan) also had two doubles, scored two runs, and had a RBI.

            Ashlynne Neal won her tenth game to lead all Northern California pitchers and rank No. 2 in the state.

CSM had a 7-0 lead going into the sixth inning before the Renegades finally scored.

            FANTASTIC NUMBERS: San Mateo leads the state in nearly even batting category: home runs (33), hits (267), runs scored (232), doubles (56), RBI (202), and stolen bases. Fourteen Bulldogs have batting averages over .300 and the team average is .398. The slugging average is .653.

            Talisa Fiame (Terra Nova, Pacifica) leads Northern California in RBI (32) and ranks No. 2 in the state. Martinez is the state lead in stolen bases with 20.