Linda Brown calls out as she covers third
base in narrow 2-1 Vike loss to Calexico.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
La Jolla's vastly improved softball team dropped a close 2-1 decision to visiting Calexico Tues., March 10.
Coach Anthony Sarain commented during the game, "They're lightyears ahead of us. We're staying with them. How, I don't know."
The Vikings' offense managed only three hits off Bulldog pitcher Kasey Cazares. Senior Katja Sarain had one of those, a double. Sophomore third baseman Linda Brown had another, driving in LJHS's only run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game, 1-1, temporarily. Another sophomore, Sara Tyrus, went one-for-three and is hitting a robust .444 after barely hitting a lick last year as a freshman.
Katja Sarain pitched a stellar game herself, giving up only five hits to the Bulldogs and striking out three.
Katja Sarain pitched a stellar game herself, giving up only five hits to the Bulldogs and striking out three.
Calexico, after a two-plus-hour drive from their hometown, where the temperature when they left was in the high 80's, took advantage of the cool coastal climate and pushed over the winning run in the top of the seventh to take the win.
But La Jolla's problem is not its offense. It just hit a buzz saw in facing Calexico's stellar pitching. Cazares is big and fast. She struck out 13, and understandably so when you see her in action. She is at the next level the Vikings want to get to.
Things will even out, as the Vikings batters have shown in their first two weeks of play. Sarain's not worried about his hitters.
Things will even out, as the Vikings batters have shown in their first two weeks of play. Sarain's not worried about his hitters.
Really, the sky's the limit with this squad. The Vikes can hit, field, and run, and their pitching is in good hands with pitcher Sarain hurling and father Sarain calling the pitches. They're young, and a lot of their talent is with the recent influx of skilled underclassmen who are experienced travel ball veterans.
Brown is one of those. Stephanie Alvarez and Katja Sarain are the long-time Vikings in the travel ball category. Josie Sinkeldam just brought her talents to the Westbourne campus as a freshman, starting at shortstop. Emily Alvarez, Steph's sister, is a freshman at first base.
According to one knowledgeable source, there is more talent on the way next year. Things are looking up for La Jolla High softball after many dry years.
The Vikings (3-3) have already equaled their win total from last year. Hitting in the fourth slot, Stephanie Alvarez is scalding the ball at a .444 clip, with two home runs already to equal her total for last year. She has a large portion of La Jolla's RBI's with eight.
Sinkeldam, batting leadoff, is hitting an impressive .421, with eight runs scored already. Pitcher Sarain is at .375, hitting between Josie and Brown. Linda, filling the third slot in the order, is doing fine at .286. She will probably come up from that, looking at her high average last year as a freshman.
The Vikings (3-3) have already equaled their win total from last year. Hitting in the fourth slot, Stephanie Alvarez is scalding the ball at a .444 clip, with two home runs already to equal her total for last year. She has a large portion of La Jolla's RBI's with eight.
Sinkeldam, batting leadoff, is hitting an impressive .421, with eight runs scored already. Pitcher Sarain is at .375, hitting between Josie and Brown. Linda, filling the third slot in the order, is doing fine at .286. She will probably come up from that, looking at her high average last year as a freshman.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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