Bowen, Hiener pitch no-hitters

Ramona High School junior Hanah Bowen threw a no-hitter against Valley Center during the Jaguar Classic game April 22. The Bulldogs prevailed, 6-0.

“That was awesome,” said coach Kristina Wright. “I knew that she was throwing well. She has such control over the ball with her movement.”

Bowen had 12 strikeouts and only walked one batter while another Jaguars player reached base on an error.

“It’s awesome to see when a pitcher can outsmart her hitters,” Wright said. “She has just a confidence about her and she just trusts her teammates are going to have her back defensively, so it was really cool to see.”

The game against Valley Center was Ramona’s only contest in the two weeks following the Bulldogs winning the Jaguar Classic championship the didn’t end after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

“We finally got put to a test in league,” Wright said. “We needed to figure out a way to score.”

That was hardly a problem April 20 when Ramona hosted Orange Glen. The Patriots were held scoreless and Ramona accumulated 16 runs during four batting innings. The first three Ramona defensive innings were thrown by sophomore Alexa Neil, who normally plays second base.

“It’s nice having that third pitcher,” Wright said.

Bowen was on the mound for the other two innings against Orange Glen. Her offensive activity April 20 included two doubles, a single, three runs scored, and two runs batted in. Neal, who had a single and a double, also scored three runs while driving in two. Jonna Rodriguez had two doubles and a single while scoring twice and sending two teammates across the plate.

Four of Ramona’s six runs at Valley Center were driven in by Jordyn Fick, who had two hits that day.

“Throughout the lineup they hit the ball very well,” Wright said. “It was good to see they were able to pick each other up.”

An 11-run first inning contributed to Ramona’s 14-0 home win April 27 against Fallbrook.

“Our hitters are so good,” Wright said. “Their patience at the plate is being tested, and they do a very good job of making adjustments.”

Izzy Ekstam, Jamie Roe and Bowen all homered against the Warriors. Ekstam drove in a total of four runs.

Ramona senior Alissa Hiener pitched a five-inning no-hitter against Fallbrook. She walked four Warrior batters while striking out twelve.

A 10-0 home win April 29 against Oceanside improved Ramona’s Valley League record to 6-0. Bowen had the shutout win on the mound.

“She did a great job,” Wright said. “Our defense did a great job of supporting her.”

The victory over Oceanside gave Ramona a 20-3 overall record for 2016.

“Twenty wins overall is amazing,” Wright said. “I think it’s a pretty good accomplishment.”

The Bulldogs travel to Orange Glen for Friday’s league game and host Valley Center on May 11.