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Ray High Bearcats
The defending Division V State Champion Ray softball team has bounced back nicely from its only loss with a pair of easy victories last week against San Carlos and Coolidge.
Gabby Montano, Ema Alverado and Haily Mabuce each had two hits, including a double apiece, and combined for eight RBI, led by Montano’s four, in a 17 – 4 victory over the Lady Braves last Wednesday. The trio was three of six Lady Cats who had at least two RBI in the win.
Junior Janae Ruiz, who went 2-for-3, drove in three runs while Tara Lorona and Julie Meza each had two RBI.
Starting pitcher Dani Montano and reliever Daniella Hinojos combined for five innings pitched, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
The Lady Cats posted a seven-run fifth inning at Coolidge last Friday, leading to an 11 – 1 victory, their fifth of the season.
Alverado and Hinojos each had two hits and drove in three runs apiece to lead the offensive attack against the Lady Bears. Janae Ruiz also had two hits as did Julie Meza, who doubled for one of her two hits.
Hinojos earned the complete-game victory versus Coolidge, allowing an unearned run on four hits with nine strikeouts and a pair of walks.
The win was Hinojos’ fourth of the season.
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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