After rout, PC softball comes back for thrilling win

The Porterville College softball team gave a good performance on Friday against the West Valley Vikings losing the opener of a doubleheader before winning the nightcap 6-5.

A beautiful day greeted the Pirates and the Vikings as they stepped out onto the field. In the top of the first in the nightcap the Pirates had a solid start as they kept the Vikings at quickly with 3 outs thanks to Maddy Pierce, Cassie Cannon, and Ashlyn Houston.

Cannon who would earn the Pirates their first run and the lead of the game. Cannon stepped up to bat and smartly judged the Vikings pitches, walking to first. Following was Ally Boyd who hit the first pitch that sent Cannon all the way to third and Boyd to first. Next was Jennilu Martinez who had a solid hit out to right field. Cannon sprinted home as Boyd took second. Cannon landed home and Boyd was safe on second.

The Vikings weren’t going to take it easy on the Pirates as they’d just taken the earlier game 16-1. A fast paced top of the second ended with the Vikings in the lead 2-1. The next four innings had some solid plays but neither team could score as number of threats ended with a player left on third having to walk back to their dugout as their teammates were retired. The bottom of the sixth had the Pirates tying the score when Smutz was brought in by Cannon and Boyd, earning many cheers from their teammates and the crowd.

The top of the seventh was fiery as the Vikings took another two poi and the lead now 4-2. The Pirates responded just as hard with a solid series of hits. Houston had a scare when she tipped a ball and it sped by her head, taking her helmet off in the process. She put it back on as a Viking player handed it back to her, only a little embarrassed thankfully. Houston hammered the next pitch out into center field and sent Savannah Murrietta running home.

Arieana Castillo was still on base as Smutz took the bat and hammered a shot into center field. Castillo made a mad dash for home as the Vikings were hot on her footsteps. Castillo slid into home as the Pirates tied the game again at 4-4.

The top of the eighth had a single run for the Vikings and the Pirates responded by bringing Martinez home with an impressive run. Now 5-5 the game had to continue into the ninth inning and the Pirates defense kept the Vikings from scoring.

Cannon had the hit that brought in Martinez. On the firrst pitch Cannon sent the ball flying for the fences. The ball bounced off the fence. This left all the time Martinez needed and she sprinted around the bases and scored for the win 6-5.

The Pirates won’t be home again until February 24 when they host a doubleheader against Moorpark, beginning at noon.