Softball earned a decisive sweep of visiting West Hills in a non-conference doubleheader, 12-1 and 18-0. The Cougars jumped out early in both games and invoked the “run-rule” at both ends of the of the twinbill, with a lead of eight or more in the 5th inning.
In the opener, the Cougars manufactured a pair of runs in the 1st inning and never trailed again. Center fielder Emily Juarez and shortstop Josie Simas both walked to open the game. Juarez stole second during Simas at-bat and they both advanced on a double steal during Natalie Ziegler’s at-bat. Juarez scored on an a throwing error and Simas scored on Ziegler’s RBI base-hit. Pitcher Kat Cline set the Falcons down in order in the next inning, while her offense batted around and added seven more runs to take a 9-0 lead. Cline set down the first ten Falcons she faced, but a one-out walk in the 4th was followed by a pair of singles and run to break up her perfect game. She closed out the game by retiring the next five batters in a row and the Cougars added three more runs to pad their advantage.
In the nightcap, Pitcher Rylee Murry authored her first complete shutout of the year in a two-hit gem. The Cougars batted around twice in a 15-run, 2nd inning, however after the Cougars bats were done, Murry’s bid for a perfect game was upended by Liyah Coleman’s first hit of the year- a double to the right-center gap. Murry, like Cline in the opener, allowed only two hits on the day. The Cougars top of the order Juarez, Simas and Ziegler combined to do more damage in the second game and ignited the rout. Juarez and Simas both scored twice and drove in a run, while Ziegler scored once and drove in three runners to lead the Cougars offense.
Doubleheader Totals
Emily Juarez- 3-5, 2B, 4 runs, 2 RBI, 3 SB
Josie Simas- 2-3 2B, 4 runs, 4 RBI, 2 SB
Natalie Ziegler- 3-4, 2 3B, 1 run, 4 RBI
The Cougars are 10-6 on the season and host Hartnell next Friday (1 PM).
-Provided by Cuesta College
