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With spring now here, no one could ask for a more beautiful day to have two rival schools play a game of softball. The Lady Lobos of Hayden showed up with a young squad to face off against the more experienced Bearcat softball team. Right from the start the experienced Bearcat softball team showed they meant business. The Bearcat defense retired the first three batters the Lobo’s sent to the plate, three up, three down. Facing a young pitcher, the Bearcat batting lineup was able to send nine batters to the plate, with six of them crossing the plate, led by a Julie Meza triple and Tara Lorona single. In the second inning, the Lobo lineup was able to send four batters to the plate led by an Ahleah Arbizo single. The Bearcats second attempt at batting resulted in five runs scored led by a Julianna Hong single and an Amee Kenyon double.
The Lady Lobos sent three batters in the third inning to the plate, three up three down. The Bearcats third attempt at bat resulted in four more runs scored led by a Daniella Hinojos double and Shelby Yocum home run. The fourth inning Bearcat softball was able to introduce a new player into the pitching rotation, Amee Kenyon, which led to a little shuffling around on the defensive front. The Lobos with the heart of their lineup at bat were able to send four batters to the plate, but the Bearcat defense was there to back up their new pitcher resulting in no runs scored. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Bearcat batters scored five more runs, led by a Julianna Hong single and Shelby Yocum home run.
The Lobos took one more chance on the offensive side of the ball putting the ball in play and getting one runner on base. But the Bearcat defense held tough registering their first double play of the season F-6-6-3 and one more infield out to end the game. The final score 20-0 in favor of the Bearcats. Offensively the team was led by Julie Meza (3-3, triple), Shelby Yocum (2-2, 2 HR), Miranda Figueroa (1-1), Daniella Hinojos (1-2, double), Tara Lorona (1-1), Amee Kenyon (2-3, double), Julianna Hong (2-3), and Destiny Gonzales (1-2). On the mound for three innings Daniella Hinojos (5K, 1W, 1H) and Amee Kenyon closing for two innings combined for a one hit game. Game ball went to Shelby Yocum for her offense and quick base running.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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