On Tuesday, Mar. 9, Fountain Valley softball took on the Los Alamitos Griffins in a thrilling game, coming down to the wire as the Barons lost 9-11 in the eighth inning. Standout players included sophomore Courtney Kols and senior Makenzie Butt, who managed to hit a home run late into the final inning to tie the game. Although the Barons came up short, the team’s determination and relentless style of play proves this team will not give up.
The first few innings saw Los Alamitos dominate. Through scoring two hits, the Los Alamitos runners were able to reach home and score two home runs in the first inning. The guest team went on to score two more runs in the second inning and three in the third, quickly extending their lead to 0-7.
From the fourth inning onwards, Fountain Valley seemed to find their strides both offensively and defensively. Junior Marissa Sardinas, in a fantastic defensive play, caught a short fly ball out to infield in order to get the third out, setting the stage for Fountain Valley’s at bat. Butt was thrown four balls, leading to a walk to first base.
On a count of 2-1, junior Jenna Bixler stepped up to the home plate and hit an out-of-the-park home run, scoring the Barons’ first runs of the game. Though junior Taylor Reynolds and sophomore Andrea Maldonado were both able to get hits, both were foul balls.
Heading into the fifth inning, the momentum of the game shifted, and Fountain Valley started reducing the deficit. Butt made a spectacular play, jumping up to catch a Los Alamitos fly ball and getting the first out of the inning. Though two more Los Alamitos runners were able to register hits and get on the bases, the Fountain Valley outfield was able to catch two more fly balls, thus keeping the Los Alamitos team scoreless in the fifth inning.
Junior Camila Becerra and junior Samantha Estrada managed to register hits, allowing Sardinas to steal third base. Estrada made a play for first base, reaching it safely. Butt hit a ground ball, but through an error by the Los Alamitos catcher, Sardinas reached home safely, scoring another two runs for the Barons. A bunt by Bixler led to junior Delaney Mondino reaching home, scoring Fountain Valley’s fifth run of the game.
In the sixth inning, though Kols striked out a Los Alamitos batter, the Griffins managed to score one run, extending their lead to eight. The Fountain Valley batters were unable to get a hit during the sixth inning, getting held to a base hit and a walk.
However, senior Veronica Moore proceeded to hit a home run at the beginning of the seventh inning, pulling Fountain Valley away within two runs. Butt then hit a ball out to the outfield, reaching first base. In order to tie the game, Reynolds hit a home run with Moore on first base, scoring two runs. Fountain Valley completed their comeback, tying the game at eight flat heading into the eighth inning.
The eighth inning commenced with the Barons getting the first out by throwing to first base. The next batter, however, was able to hit a line drive out to the center field, allowing the base runner on third to score a run. Another base hit by Los Alamitos led to the Griffins adding to their lead, scoring two more runs. Through Butt hitting a long ball out to the far left field, Sardinas was able to score a run by reaching home. Fountain Valley fought hard to send the game to extra innings, but the game ended 9-11 after eight innings played.
Fountain Valley’s next league game is a home game against Newport Harbor on Mar. 16.
