Wildcats softball heats up in trio of scrimmages

Appeal Staff Report

The Western Nevada College softball team has held its own against some of Northern California's top teams so far this fall.

But on Saturday at Carson High School, the Wildcats put together their best showing of the fall as they played outstanding in all three of their scrimmages. The Wildcats put it all together with continued strong pitching from Annalee Rubio and Alyson Hermann, but they also showed much improvement in their hitting and fielding from their previous play in the fall.

After two decisive wins over Feather River College (7-2) and Consumnes River Community College, one of Northern California's top teams, (6-1), the Wildcats played on even terms with another Northern California power in Ohlone College as the two teams played to a 3-3 tie. Ohlone is the six-time defending champion in its conference.

On the day in 20 innings, the Wildcats made just two errors and banged out 28 hits. A big reason why Rubio and Herman were on were their effective use of their changeup.

Against Ohlone, Rubio pitched a shutout through three innings before Ohlone scored on a squeeze bunt in the fourth inning to take a 1-0 lead. But WNC tied it in the bottom of the fourth on back-to-back doubles by Kelsie Fahr and Ambar Huish. The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead on Alisha Perry's RBI triple in the fifth.

But in the sixth, Ohlone took advantage of a walk, bloop single, fielder's choice and passed ball to tie the score 2-2 and then took a 3-2 lead on another squeeze bunt. WNC tied it in the bottom of the sixth after Huish doubled and went to third on a groundout.

Then with two outs, Devin Steelman was able to reach on an infield single on a shot into the hole on the left side, reaching on a bang-bang play at first as the throw got away to score the tying run. The game ended in a tie after six innings as it was called due to the 90-minute time limit.

Rubio pitched a complete game, allowing six hits. Huish doubled twice and Frances Estrada and Ashley Williams each added a hit for WNC.

WNC 7, FEATHER RIVER 2

The Wildcats banged out 12 hits against the Golden Eagles. Rubio pitched a complete game, striking out eight over eight innings as the two teams were able to play eight innings before the time limit.

Rubio didn't allow a hit until the fifth and pitched a shutout through seven innings. She tired a bit in the eighth as she allowed two runs on four hits and ended up with a seven-hitter.

WNC took a 1-0 lead in the second on Perry's RBI double. The Wildcats went up 5-0 in the fourth as Christa Casci, Williams and Steelman all had RBI singles during the rally. Huish hit a two-run single that made it 7-0 in the fifth.

Casci, Perry, Fahr and Steelman all had two hits and Alissa Rampa and Lisa Senko each added a hit for WNC.

WNC 6, CONSUMNES RIVER 1

Herman pitched a complete game four-hitter in a contest that was called after six innings due to the time limit.

WNC took a 3-0 lead in the first as Williams and Alexandra Arciniega each hit an RBI sacrifice fly during the rally. Fahr hit an RBI double to give the Wildcats a 4-0 led in the second.

Steelman had an RBI double and Niesha Washington hit an RBI single to give WNC a 6-1 lead in the fifth. Rubio doubled and Herman, Casci, Amanda Cary, Perry and Brittany Naastad all added a hit as WNC banged out nine hits.

WNC will conclude its fall season today, playing two more scrimmages at CHS. The Wildcats will play Feather River at 9 a.m. and Consumnes River at 10:50.

NOTE: Carson High graduate Bethany Henry is an assistant coach for Feather River.