Softball team wins three Valley League games
The Ramona High School softball team had its best week of the season. The Lady Dawgs won three Valley League games with outstanding pitching and excellent execution on offense. Ramona improved its overall record to 10-14 and is 4-3 in league action.
The Lady Bulldogs came from behind to beat Orange Glen 7-3 on the road.
The Patriots scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and then the Lady Dawgs unleashed a 12-hit attack.
Lexi Slater and Cassie Ford had 3-for-4 outings. Slater ripped two singles and stroked a solo home run over the left centerfield fence. Ford contributed two singles and a double as she drove in three runs.
KK Melgoza and Julie Ward had two hits apiece. Emily Vandervort and Tory Roberts delivered singles.
Kellsie Domnitz went the distance and scattered eight hits and gave up two earned runs. She struck out four.
Domnitz and Christina Clermont locked up in a pitcher’s duel and Domnitz won the battle as Ramona beat San Marcos 2-1 on the Lady Dawgs’ home diamond.
In the bottom of the third inning, Ramona struck first. Ward and Kim Whelehon delivered back-to-back singles with one out. Melgoza then delivered an RBI double to score Ward.
With two down in the top of the sixth inning, San Marcos delivered a double and a single to tie the game.
Ramona then rallied for the winning run in the bottom of the frame. Courtney Fick worked Clermont for a walk. Ford then put down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Fick advanced to third on the play when she noticed that the bunt was fielded by the Knight playing third. Roberts drew a base on balls. Allie Ferguson then put down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt and then beat it out for a base hit to drive in Fick.
When asked if it was a safety squeeze or if Ferguson just laid down the bunt on her own, Coach Mike Schuler was quick to respond with a big smile. “It was a suicide squeeze all the way.” Schuler had one of his best bunters at the plate and one of his best runners at third base and he rolled the dice and won.
Ramona got two singles from Whelehon and a double from Melgoza. Fick also delivered a hit for Ramona.
Domnitz had command of all of her pitches and Fick called a good game behind the plate. Domnitz struck out seven and scattered four hits. She did not issue a walk. Melgoza made several running and diving catches in centerfield to support Domnitz in the field.
The Lady Dawgs finished the week with another come-from-behind victory and another stellar pitching performance.
Ally Harvey went the distance in the circle for the Lady Bulldogs and picked up the win. Harvey scattered seven hits and gave up one earned run as Ramona beat Valley Center 6-3. Harvey struck out six and only gave one base on balls.
Valley Center scored two unearned runs in the first inning. Ramona answered with a run in the bottom of the second. Fick walked and with two outs Allie Ferguson reached first on an error and Fick scored. Valley Center scored in the top of the third to extend their lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the third, Ward drew a walk. With one out, Melgoza doubled, but Ward was thrown out at the plate. Slater then got her first of three hits, advancing Melgoza to third. Melgoza scored on a passed ball to make it a 3-2 ball game.
Ramona took the lead in the fifth when Whelehon walked and Melgoza stroked her second hit of the game. Slater then drilled a two strike hit over the left field fence for a three run home run. Fick singled but was stranded on base.
Slater picked up her fourth RBI of the game in the sixth inning when she drove in Ward with a two out RBI double. Harvey retired the side in the seventh to ensure the win.