Pitcher: Riley Nahrwold
Today the girls were nervous and excited to take on their rivals, Santee, from the State Tournmanet. Fullerton Hills had beaten Santee twice to win the entire tournament in mid-July. This would be the girls' 4th time taking on Santee this season.
Santee took the field as the home team today, which would be the Fullerton's team first time acting as visitors in this tournament. But that didn't seem to phase them. Sydney Meyer began the game in the top of the 1st inning with a lead-off single just past the SS, and Nina Meledenz followed with a single just past the SS as well. However, Fullerton would not get any any runs out of this inning. Santee came up to bat looking for revenge as they loaded the bases and scored their first run on a single to RF to make the game 1-0 at the end of the 1st inning.
The 2nd inning was quiet for both reams offensively, but Fullerton's defense would shut Santee down in a 1,2,3 bottom of the 2nd. Fullerton would leave 2 runners on base.
In the 3rd inning things began to heat up when Nina Melendez singled to LF to begin the inning offensively for Fullerton. Brooke Castillo would follow with a hard ground ball to 3B that would result in an overthrow to 2B by Santee's third baseman in an attempt to get the force out at 2B. The ball went into the outfield and Nina Melendez would score from 2B, and Brooke would end up on 2B at the end of the play. The scoring continued for Fullerton as Destiny Fernandez singled to LCF. Santee's C slid to catch the ball, but couldn't quite come up with it. Brooke Castillo would then score making the game 2-1, Fullerton going into the bottom of the 3rd inning. Santee started their at-bat off with a double, followed by a single to CF which would advance the runner to 3B. Another single to CF would clear the bases and score 2 for Santee. At the end of 3rd inning, the game was now 3-2 in Santee's favor.
The 4th inning was another quiet inning for both teams and going into the 5th inning, the score remained 3-2, Santee.
In the top of the 5th inning, there was a Santee pitching change. Taylor Browne and Nina Melendez gave Fullerton some momentum by getting on base for the team. Soon with only Nina Melendez on base, Brooke Castillo would sacrifice bunt to move Nina Melendez to 2B. Sara Fajnor was now up and would single to LF as the CF would make another sliding catch attempt. She missed the ball, and Nina scores. The game was now tied at 3-3, as Fulleron shut out Santee in the bottom of the 5th inning.
The pressure was on in the bottom of the 6th inning when Santee had runners on 2B and 3B. Fullerton's pitching and defense would then shut down Santee, and the game remained tied going into the 7th inning. It was now do or die for Fullerton.
The 7th inning started off with an infield single for Taylor Browne. She hit a pop-fly in between the pitcher and third baseman. However, no one would catch the ball. Next, Brooke was hit by a ball and was awarded 1B. Sara Fajnor came up to the plate and ripped the ball into CF. Taylor Browne and Brooke Castillo scored safely after the CF didn't come up with the ball in quite enough time and Sara Fajnor was safe on 3B. Santee was called for obstruction at 3B, and Sara Fajnor was awarded home making the score 6-3 Fullerton. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Fullerton pitching and defense shut down their rival Santee. A noteworthy play from the bottom of the 7th inning would be Nina Meledez's catch at 3B as the ball sailed high over her head and she turned completely around to go get the ball.
This was an exciting, and gratifying, game indeed. Fullerton has been unmatched with their stellar pitching, defense, and offense. Riley Nahrwold pitched an amazing game today and these girls were there to back her up with defense and offense.
The next game is tomorrow (August 7, 2010) at 11:00am. Stay tuned for more updates!
Pictures from Goleta game yesterday (August 5, 2010):
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Pictures from Santee game today (August 6, 2010)
C: Mr. and Mrs. Schulte
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