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The Junior Cats played their first game of the season last Wednesday. With the lost of nine players from last years team, the five returning players and seven new players had some work to do before the start of their first game. Wednesday’s game with the visiting Mt. Vista Cougars allowed the coaches to see what skills and drills the team needed to work on to continue to progress through the softball season. The start of the first inning the Cougars sent three batters to the plate the result, three up, three down. The Bearcats sent four batters to the plate with Julie Meza breaking the 0-0 tie with a double and run scored. The second inning the Cougars sent three more batters to the plate three up, three down. The Bearcats sent six batters to the plate resulting in two runs scored, led by Danielle Barajas and Shelby Yocum singles and an Amee Kenyon double.
The third inning the Cougars sent three more batters to the plate and with the same result, three up three down. The Bearcats sent five batters to the plate in this inning resulting in 0 runs scored. The fourth inning the Cougars bats were waking up. They sent six batters to the plate, filling the bases but the Bearcat defense held them scoreless. This turn at bat for the Bearcats resulted in three runs by seven batters at the plate. Leading the offense this inning was a Tara Lorona triple, Julie Meza double, and a Julia Lorona single. At the end of four complete innings the score was 6-0. The top of the fifth inning the Bearcats made some fielding changes to allow players to experience playing other positions. The Cougars were able to send nine batters to the plate this inning resulting in five scored runs. Holding on to a one run lead the Bearcats sent five batters to the plate resulting in one insurance run. The score after five complete innings 7-5. With the last and final bat for the Cougars at hand they were able to send five batters to the plate, the Bearcat defense did not waiver, resulting in zero runs scored. Final score 7-5 in favor of your hometown Bearcats.
Leading the offense Julie Meza (2-3, two doubles), Danielle Barajas (2-3), Shelby Yocum (2-3), Tara Lorona (1-3, triple), Amee Kenyon (1-3, double), Daniella Hinojos (1-3), and Izzy Kimmel (1-1). On the defensive side of the ball, starting on the mound Daniella Hinojos (12 K’s, 3 W, 2 H) and Julie Meza (one inning/relief) recorded the win. This Wednesday the Junior Cats head to Miami to face the Vandals at 4 p.m.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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