Bowen pitches perfect game against Timberwolves
Ramona High School sophomore Hanah Bowen threw a perfect game April 16 at Mission Vista High School to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 record in their first two Valley League games.
The 10-0 Ramona victory in a game that lasted five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule followed Ramona’s league opener April 14, a 14-2 home win against Oceanside that also lasted five innings due to the mercy rule.
Ramona’s final game before league play was a 6-1 home win April 13 at home against Westview.
The Bulldogs, who host Valley Center in today’s Valley League contest, thus began the week with a 6-7 overall record and ended the week with a 9-7 mark. The victory over Westview evened the Bulldogs’ overall record at 7-7 to go with what was a league record of 0-0 at the time.
“That was a huge win for us. They’re one of the top teams in the county,” said coach Cori McDonald.
Bowen pitched a seven-inning complete game against Westview, allowing five hits and striking out eight Wolverines batters. She had two hits in four at-bats at the plate. Amie Roe had two hits, both doubles, in three at-bats and drove in two runs. Lauren Meiteler and Jordyn Sick each drove in a teammate with a single. The offensive statistics of Alexa Neil included a triple.
“That was a good win for us and a good turning point for us as we headed into league,” McDonald said.
Alissa Hiener pitched the league opener for Ramona, allowing two hits and striking out seven. Six different Ramona players drove in runs.
“Every one of our kids got playing time,” McDonald said. “It was nice to see every kid getting opportunities.”
Ramona’s roster includes 13 players.
“A huge thing for us this year is the depth that we have,” McDonald said. “We have a team that ability-wise is pretty even. We don’t have a weak player on our bench.”
Neal hit a three-run home run against Oceanside and drove in a total of four runs. Bowen belted a two-run homer against the Pirates. Heather Belaya had two singles in three at-bats and drove in two runs. Hayley Brinker had a double and batted in two teammates. Ashley Pittman had a double and a run batted in. Sick also put one of her teammates across the plate.
“I was really proud of the girls coming out and playing our game,” McDonald said.
In the game against Mission Vista, each Ramona player had at least two innings of playing time.
“That was nice to get everyone some time,” McDonald said.
That included at least two innings on defense, but none of the reserves spoiled Bowen’s perfect game.
“They all supported Hanah,” McDonald said.
Bowen, who was not aware that she had thrown a perfect game until she was congratulated afterward, struck out eight Timberwolves batters. She began the season with a back injury.
“It’s nice to have her back in the full swing of things now,” McDonald said.
McDonald noted that Bowen didn’t throw the perfect game alone.
“For that to happen her teammates had to back her up behind her, too,” McDonald said. “It was nice to see the week wrap up in a positive way. It was nice to see our whole team and every single player contributing to our wins throughout the week.”