The RJH softball team looking to stay undefeated going into Saturday’s Championships in Eloy had one home game and two away games remaining on the schedule. The first team up was the Superior Panthers. The Panthers in the first inning were able to send five batters to the plate, but the Bearcat defense would not yield a run. The Bearcat offense was able to send 13 batters to the plate resulting in nine runs led by a Destiny Gonzales single and Julie Meza triple. The second inning for the Panthers was a 3-up, 3-down. The second attempt at batting the Bearcats sent 12 batters to the plate resulting in eight runs, led by a Julianna Hong single, Shelby Yocum double, and Julie Meza triple. The third inning for the Panthers introduced them to the Bearcat infield defense and catcher Tara Lorona’s arm as she picked off a Panther base runner, three batters no runs scored. The Bearcat offense sent 11 batters their turn at bat resulting in six more runs, led by a Tara Lorona single and a Daniella Hinojos single. The Panthers last at bat resulted in five batters at the plate. The third and fourth batter put a little spark in the offense resulting in two runs scored. The final score a 23-2 win for the Bearcats. Offensively the team was led by Julie Meza (2-2, 2 triples), Shelby Yocum (2-2, double), Tara Lorona (1-2), Daniella Hinojos (1-2), Destiny Gonzales (1-2), and Julianna Hong (1-3). On the mound Daniella Hinojos (2K, 4W, 0H) and Amee Kenyon relieving (0K, 1W, 0H) took the win. Game ball went to Julie Meza for her offense (2 triples).
The second game the Bearcats traveled to Miner Country. Getting first at bat the Bearcats started right were they left off in the Superior game. Led by a Daniella Hinojos single and home run, Amee Kenyon double, Shelby Yocum home run, and sending 17 batters to the plate to score 12 runs for a quick start. The Miners first attempt batting was 3-up, 3-down. The second inning the Bearcat offense sent nine batters to the plate scoring five runs led by a Tara Lorona double, Daniella Hinojos double, and Julie Meza home run. The Miners were able to kick start their offense sending six batters to the plate resulting in two runs scored. The third inning the Bearcat offense began to slow down sending only four batters to the plate resulting in one single and one run being scored by Julianna Hong. The third at bat for the Miners was a little exciting with the top of the Miner batting order up. The Miners were able to load the bases but a 4-4,4-3 double play by Destiny Gonzales strengthened the Bearcat defense resulting in no runs scored for the Miners. The fourth at bat the Bearcats sent 12 batters to the plate resulting in eight runs scored, led by singles by Julianna Hong, Amee Kenyon, Shelby Yocum, and Destiny Gonzales, a Daniella Hinojos triple, and home runs by Tara Lorona and Julie Meza. The Miners last at bat was their most productive of the game sending 12 batters to the plate resulting in six runs scored. The final score 26-8 in favor of the Bearcats. Offensively the Bearcats were led by Daniella Hinojos (4-4, double, triple, HR), Julianna Hong (3-3), Julie Meza (2-3, 2 HR), Tara Lorona (2-3, double, HR), Amee Kenyon (2-3, double), Shelby Yocum (2-4, HR), and Destiny Gonzales. On the mound Daniella Hinojos (3K, 1W, 0H) and Amee Kenyon relieving got the win. Game ball went to Daniella Hinojos for her offense (single, double, triple, and HR).
The third game had the Bearcats traveling to Braves Country. Batting first the Bearcats sent 17 batters to the plate, scoring 12 runs led by a Tara Lorona double and triple, Shelby Yocum HR, Julie Meza triple, Danielle Barajas double, and singles by Julianna Hong and Daniella Hinojos. The Braves first at bat, seven batters were able to score 4 runs with 2 outs through fielding and throwing errors. A quick visit to the pitchers mound from Coach Hinojos to help shake off the rust from the bus ride and everything was back to normal. The second inning the Bearcats sent five batters to the box and scored three runs led by a Tara Lorona HR and Daniella Hinojos double. The second at bat for the Braves was a 3-up, 3-down. The third inning the Bearcats sent four batters to the plate with no runs scored. The same result for the Braves four batters no runs scored this inning. The fourth and final inning the Bearcats sent nine batters to the plate, scoring five runs led by a Julia Lorona HR, Danielle Barajas triple, Julie Meza double, and Daniella Hinojos single. The Braves final at bat, four batters led to no runs scored. The final score 20-4 in favor of the Bearcats. Tara Lorona (3-3, double, triple, HR), Daniella Hinojos (3-3, double), Julie Meza (2-2, double, triple), Danielle Barajas (2-2, double, triple), Shelby Yocum (1-2, HR), Julie Lorona (1-1, HR), and Julianna Hong (1-3) led the team. On the mound Daniella Hinojos (3K, 2W, 1H) and Amee Kenyon (1K, 0W, 1H) got the win. Game ball went to Tara Lorona for her offense (double,triple, and HR).
Congratulations to the RJH softball team in finishing the regular season undefeated, scoring 15.5 runs/game as a team and allowing 3.1 runs/game as a defense. This Saturday the RJH softball team will travel to Eloy as the number one seed for the Central League Championships.