LODI DROPS LEAGUE OPENER
Ashlee Toy was looking to go the distance for her Lodi High softball teammates.
The Flames’ sophomore pitcher, who was moved up to the varsity squad last spring, didn’t toy around with her time in the circle in Monday’s Tri-City Athletic League home opener against Lincoln at the Lodi Softball Complex. A combination of strikeouts and the Flames’ defense helped achieve her success in the early part of the game.
At the plate, Lodi was able to build a comfortable lead early in the game. But Lincoln posted a 5-4 win over the Flames.
Going six innings, Toy tossed a four-hitter in which two hits came in the top of the fourth inning. She also struck out three batters. Monday’s game was the longest number of innings she’s pitched for the Flames.
“You can tell by the way she was warming up, just her demeanor,” said Lodi coach Michelle Souza. “Talking to her, she said ‘I’m going to do it.’ Overall, I’m very happy with what she did today. Lasted a little longer than what we have been doing. (Monday’s game) was the longest stance for her.”
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lodi (0-1 in the TCAL, 2-7), which led 3-0 earlier in the game, took a 4-3 lead with one out. Freshman shortstop Johnna Schroeder connected on the ball, sending it deep to right-center field for a triple. She touched home plate when junior first baseman Danielle Pfenning, in her third season on the varsity level, grounded out.
Lincoln (1-0 in the TCAL, 30) responded in the top of the sixth inning with two outs. Cheyenne Washington walked, and moved up a base on a passed ball. She tied the game at 4-4 when Emily Sanchez singled to left-center field. Sanchez scored the goahead run on Jolena Velasquez tripled deep to the Flames’ fence in right field.
Lodi was looking to rally in the bottom of the sixth with one out. Allisa Yabumoto (2-for-3, RBI) singled to right field. But the Flames paid the price when Lodi catcher Haley Price hit a liner to Trojan second baseman Mariah Rodriguez, who saw Yabumoto leave at the point of Price making contact. Rodriguez threw to Washington, who was playing first base, to record the double play and end the frame.
Lincoln and Lodi went hitless in the seventh inning,
which ended the game and the Flames’ chances of winning their league opener.
In the top of the fourth inning, Lincoln had three runners touch home plate to tie the game at 3-3. That included Sanchez and Velasquez each belting out a single, which was assisted by walk and fielder’s choice.
The Flames upped their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning off one hit. Toy, the Flames’ lead-off hitter, and Schroeder drew walks.
Both scored when Marissa Fabian singled up the middle.
“I was happy,” Souza said. “I’m happy to have see what we did today.”
Fabian scored the Flames’ first run in the bottom of the second inning. She walked and scored on Yabumoto’s first hit of the game, a single to center field.
Lincoln pitcher Merissa Olmos went the distance in the circle, allowing six hits and struck out two Lodi batters.
“Lincoln has always battled with us,” said Souza of the Trojans. “I expect to see this type of ball games, but of course I want to be on the other
side; I want the wins.”
On Wednesday, Lodi continues league play at West. But whether the game will be played or not will depend on the weather. According to weather forecasters, rain is suppose to hit the Valley this afternoon and continue through Friday. The storms are suppose to bring one to two inches during that time, but suppose to clear out before the start of the upcoming weekend.