Napa scores runs early and often in home-opening win over Justin-Siena
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
The Napa High softball team has had a rough go of it to begin the season, as they had to play every game on the road due to poor field conditions.
But, on Friday they finally played their first home game and came away with a 15-0 victory over crosstown rival Justin-Siena.
“They’ve been chomping at the bit,” Napa coach Ron Walston said of finally having a home game. “Just to play period. We had so many rainouts and practices in the gym 95% of the time all last week, so they’re excited and of course everybody loves to play at home.”
The game had a promising start for the Braves (9-7 overall, 0-6 Vine Valley Athletic League). They loaded the bases with only one out after Jocelyn Stojack and Clare Garcia both singled to go along with a Clare Halsey walk. But Justin-Siena’s lone chance to score was squandered when Napa starter Kimmie Walston record back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the jam.
“We didn’t get any good swings on the ball and we were swinging at pitches that we shouldn’t have been swinging at,” Justin-Siena coach Tim Garcia said.
From there on Napa (5-5, 4-2 VVAL) took over. They scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first when Makena Walls singled and scored on a single by Walston.
The Grizzlies scored four more times in the second inning. Jenna Baker singled and came home on a Grace Guzman single. Drew Somogyi reached on a bunt single and later came home with Guzman on a double by Haylee Giarritta. Giarritta came home after Abby Arata reached on an error.
Napa added five more runs in the third and fourth to seal the deal.
After hitting well in Monday’s Big Game victory, Giarritta continued to stay hot by going 3-for-4 with two singles, a double, and four RBIs.
“She’s been hitting really well,” Walston said of his senior shortstop. “She’s been working hard at it. She was frustrated early, but it’s just a matter of time. It’s seeing the live pitching more than anything with her, and her pitch selection has been really good. She hasn’t gone out as much out of the zone and she’s been driving the ball.”
Walston got the win for Napa. Over three innings of work she struck out four and walked one. She also threw 36 pitches.
“She looked good, she kept the ball down,” Walston explained of his daughter’s outing.
Halsey took the loss for Justin-Siena. Over 2 and ⅓ innings of work she walked four and struck out one.
Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Napa will host American Canyon, who they beat 5-1 on March 21st. Meanwhile Justin-Siena will host Vintage for round two of the all-Trower Avenue battle. On March 21st Vintage beat Justin-Siena 9-0.
