Vintage’s offense erupts in second inning to gain control, beat Napa in first Big Game, and continue winning streak
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
SAINT HELENA-When a team gets their offense underneath them, they can be scary. It makes it so a team can’t pitch around anyone.
This was the case on Thursday night in the first Big Game softball when Vintage cruised past crosstown rival Napa, 14-2, in a game that lasted just five innings.
The Crushers (6-4 overall, 2-1 Vine Valley Athletic League) broke the game wide open in the second where they scored 8 times and sent 10 batters to the plate. Ava Raines started the rally when she walked and later scored on a fielder’s choice by Desiree Griffith. Another highlight of the inning came when Audrey Manley poked a ball into the right-center gap that brought Mia and Desiree Griffith home. Mia Griffith got on base with a single that loaded the bases. Then after Taylor Lauritsen got on by way of a walk and Manley’s double, Emily Vanderbilt walked to load the bases for Raines who brought all three in on a triple that went down the left-field line and into the corner. Raines scored for the second time in the inning when Cienna Alvarez roped a double to right-center to put a cherry on top of the big inning.
“I really believe that success is contagious in this game,” Raines said of the big second where she was an integral part. “So seeing one of your teammates be successful is definitely something that makes us all want to be successful. We can almost build off of each other so that we can have results like this.”
Vintage continued to add on by scoring a run in the third when Mia Griffith walked before stealing second and third, all on one play. Then, in the same play, she scored on a throw that was a bit off to give the Crushers a 9-0 lead.
In the fourth, Vintage added to their tally by scoring twice more. A single by Alvarez brought in Vanderbilt who had walked to begin the inning and got to second following another Raines walk. Raines came in on a bases-loaded walk by Desiree Griffith.
When the game reached the fifth, the Crushers scored three more times. Manley and Angie Rubalcava started the inning with a pair of singles followed by getting in scoring position on a tag and stolen base to set the table for Raines who poked a single to right field. She later scored on a sacrifice fly by Devin Viruet.
Leading the Vintage offensive attack was Raines. The sophomore first baseman was 2-for-2 with two walks, a triple, single, 5 RBIs, and 4 runs scored in the game.
“It’s actually just been putting in the hours outside of being on the field, and finding time to do what it takes to be consistently successful in the game,” Raines said as to what led to her success in the game.
Others having a nice game were Alvarez (3-for-4 double, stolen base, 2 RBIs), Manley (2-for-4 double, two runs scored, 2 RBIs), Rubalcava (2-for-4 run scored, stolen base), Desiree Griffith (1-for-2 walk, run, 2 RBIs), Mia Griffith (1-for-2 walk, 2 runs scored), Brianna Allen (1-for-2 run), and Lauritsen (1-for-3 run, RBI).
“The girls work hard day in (and) day out,” Vintage manager and head coach Megan Lopez said of the great offensive output. “They put the time in with their swings, they work their weaknesses and their strengths and their dedication, their commitment, and their hard work is coming to the game and it’s showing up.”
Napa (2-4, 1-2 VVAL) scored their only runs of the game in the third. Riley Brodie reached on an error and scored on a Reilly Parga groundout. After walking, Ella Johnson scored on a single by Olivia Horn.
“We’ve talked a lot about situational hitting and more than anything being aggressive. You know, looking for your pitch early in the count and don’t miss it,” Napa skipper Ron Walston said of the approach his team had in the third inning. “I think that’s just what they did. We’ve got a few players who don’t have a lot of experience at this level, but they’re coming around and the biggest thing I saw was they didn’t quit, they didn’t get down, they stayed up. If we can build on this, we’ll be in pretty good shape.”
The Grizzlies had a few other chances to score in the game but were unable to take advantage of them. In the contest, they left six runners on base.
Leading the Napa offensive attack were Jessaye Wood (2-for-3) and Horn (1-for-3 RBI).
“She’s really turned the corner this year, confidence-wise,” Walston said of Horn. “She goes up there with a plan ‘get your pitch and hit it.’ She’s been putting in a lot of extra time hitting and changed a few things just to be more of a line-drive hitter. She showed that tonight.”
Getting the win in the game was Rubalcava. The sophomore right-hander worked 4 innings, where she struck out 6 and walked 3 on 65 pitches. She also allowed two runs, both of which were unearned.
Both teams will be back in action in the coming days. Napa will have a quick turnaround and will now host Windsor at 4 pm on Friday. As for Vintage, they’ll have the weekend off before continuing league play on Monday at 4 pm when they host Petaluma.
Crushers continue winning ways
In the last few weeks, Vintage has caught fire after a rough start to the season. After all, they have now won 6 straight.
One of the reasons they have been doing a lot of winning lately is the fact that they’ve been scoring a ton of runs in each game lately. Another is that they played a monstrous schedule to begin the season.
“I think the timing of everything and letting the girls come together we played quickly hard teams right off the bat,” Lopez said of the six-game winning streak and how things have changed. “I think that they’re getting that team gel. They’re hitting the ball. It’s really special when it’s just like pass the bat and everyone can hit one through nine. It’s amazing.”
It also helped they have been able to play more consistently after rain messed with the beginning of the season.
