American Canyon’s fast start too much for Napa to overcome
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
There is no easy game in the Vine Valley Athletic League in softball.
The Napa High softball team found that out the hard way after losing 10-2 to American Canyon.
“We got outplayed,” Napa coach Ron Walston said.
The Wolves (8-4 overall, 5-2 VVAL) set the tone early by scoring three runs in the top of the first, and two in the the fifth to gain a 5-0 edge.
Napa (5-6, 4-3 VVAL) scored their only runs of the contest in the bottom of the sixth when Makena Walls singled and then came home when Caity Newburn roped a two-run homer over the fence in left-center, which was her sixth of the season.
“She’s a great kid, and unbelievable talent,” Walston said of his freshman catcher. “It’s to the point now where you’re just waiting for it. You’ve got a runner on or two runners on, and if she just misses one you’re actually surprised. She’s an incredible talent, and it’s great to have her.”
The Grizzlies had other opportunities to score in the first, third, fourth, and fifth, but failed to get a hit with runners in scoring position.
“We’ve got to start hitting the ball with runners in scoring position,” Walston explained.
Of course, American Canyon starter Lisa Bolton also had a lot to due with the Grizzlies struggles on offense. In a complete game effort she struck out five, walked, and allowed only two earned runs.
“I just think that I move the ball around really well,” Bolton explained. “I was working the corners and like up and down too, so I think that my biggest strength today was just keeping them guessing.”
“You’ve got to hand it to Lisa, she pitched a great game,” Walston pointed out.
American Canyon put the game away in the top of the seventh when they scored five more times, giving them an eight-run advantage.
It was not the best of days for Napa’s senior pitchers. Jenna Baker started and got the loss going six innings, striking out four, and walking three in 105 pitches. Kimmie Walston went an inning, and allowed two runs, which were both unearned in 20 pitches.
“Honestly, we need to pitch better,” Walston said of what his team needs to improve on. “We get ahead in the count and we’re giving up too many hits ahead in the count, so it’s just something we’ve got to work out.”
Both teams will be back in action on Thursday at 4 p.m. Napa will host Petaluma, while American Canyon will host Casa Grande-Petaluma.
