ROCKLIN, Calif. – Dominican softball went on a hit parade in the first game to defeat Jessup 11-2, but errors derailed a strong start in a 7-3 loss in game two at Foskett Regional Park.
Taylor Eby had a brilliant day at the plate for the Penguins (26-20, 17-12 PacWest) going 4-for-7 with six RBI and a run scored.
Melissa Garcia went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI while
Kate Tobola was 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored.
Nayellys Torres-Gonzalez moved to 5-6 on the year allowing one earned run in four innings of work in the first game.
Game one
Tobola was hit by a pitch to lead off the game before advancing on a ground ball to move into scoring position. Eby sent a bouncing ball up the middle that bounced under the pitchers glove before taking a high hop off the shortstop's shoulder to give Tobola enough time to come home in front of the throw for the 1-0 lead. Torres-Gonzalez held the dangerous Warrior offense in check as Rebekah Beasley and Maddy Ybarra each singled before Tobola scooped up a groundball at third base, touched her bag and threw to first for the inning-ending double play.
The second inning was an offensive explosion for the Penguins as
Melissa Garcia and
Alyssa Rue each singled to lead off the inning. Jessup attempted to get the lead runner on a sacrifice bunt attempt, but the throw was off target loading the bases and
Alicia Garcia singled up the middle to bring home one. Tobola singled through the left side to keep the momentum humming along and Eby singled up the middle to bring home two for the 5-0 lead. After
Morgan Saucedo singled through the left side to load the bases one more, a wild pitch brought home another run and
Melissa Garcia tallied her second hit of the inning to bring home another run.
Kelissa Lee rounded out the eight-run scoring explosion with a single to left that brough home two runs for the 9-0 lead. Malia Ishii singled up the middle to drive in a run for the Warriors in the bottom of the frame but it was as close as they would be for the remainder of the game.
Tobola singled through the left side advancing around the bases on a wild pitch and passed ball.
Tiare Guerrero walked and stole second bringing up the red-hot Eby who singled up the middle for the third consecutive time scoring two runs for the 11-1 lead. Torres-Gonzalez needed no more run support as she left a runner stranded in the third and fourth before
Hannah Escalante entered to retire three of four batters in the bottom of the fifth to seal the run-rule victory.
Game two
Dominican got off to a strong start in the second game as well as
Taylor Rodriguez pitched two scoreless frame before Guerrero singled to left with two outs in the top of the third to start a rally. After Guerrero stole second, Eby singled up the middle to bring her home for the 1-0 lead.
Rodriguez retired the side in the bottom of the third and
Melissa Garcia led off the fourth with a single over the head of the second baseman. After she advanced on a sacrifice bunt,
Leslie Ruiz brought her home with the single to right, advancing to second on the throw home.
Alicia Garcia singled up the middle to bring home Ruiz for the 3-0 lead.
Ybarra tripled to right center to lead off the bottom of the fourth and Sarah Giles was able to drop a ball up the middle for the RBI single. With two outs a fielding error allowed another Warrior run to cross to cut the lead to 3-2. Jessup continued to take advantage of several more errors and some timely hitting to score five runs in the bottom of the fifth as the top offense in the PacWest was able to build a lead.
The series now turns to San Rafael where the Penguins will play host to the Warriors for a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon PDT. Kona Ice will be sponsoring the game with free treats for the first 200 fans in attendance.
