By Ed Piper
Things could be looking up for the Viking softball team this spring, with a cadre of new players promising increased productivity on the offensive side and greater field awareness due to their experience playing the sport.
In La Jolla's season-opening 22-14 home loss to Monte Vista Tues., Feb. 21, the Vikings gave up a ton of runs, but their offensive engine scored many runs, as senior Emmy Cardenas, a Winthrop University commit, had four hits, including her first home run of the 2023 season, and a whopping eight RBI's to power Coach Anthony Sarain's team.
Winthrop is a four-year school in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a member of the Big South Conference. Emmy, whose dad Rich is an assistant coach with the Vikings, will concentrate on pitching for the Eagles.
Five other Vikings drove in RBI's in a potential sign of future progress and strength throughout the lineup: Savannah Putnam, hitting in the third slot behind Cardenas, Vivian Jensen, Maddie Ehlert, a catcher, Kaitlin Murphy, and Roxanne Metcalf.
Ehlert, Murphy, and Metcalf each had two hits.
The score was actually 9-0 in favor of La Jolla, the hosts, when the Monarchs came to bat in the top of the fourth inning. Monte Vista erupted for 10 runs in that half inning, then exploded for 12 more in the fifth to take a commanding lead and end the game in five innings when the Vikings could only answer with two runs (bottom of the fourth), then three (bottom of the fifth) for the 22-14 final.
Julianna Lemen of Monte Vista had three hits, including a home run, and five RBI's to lead the visitors.
The Vikings' new additions this year include freshmen Ehlert, a catcher/outfielder, Putnam, a pitcher/outfielder, JC Taylor, a left-handed hitter, and Sophia Bradley, who plays outfield.
Savannah and Sophia play for Coastal Bay Select. Maddie plays for The Factory, which practices at Del Norte High in 4S Ranch.
La Jolla next plays Mon., Feb. 27, in a 3:30 p.m. tournament game against Montgomery High.
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