Storm holds off Volcano Vista softball, 3-2
Sartan pitcher Moleres pitches perfect game against Highland in five-inning victory, 10-0
RIO RANCHO — If you’re looking for the best high school softball over the next four weeks, watch District 1-6A.
Arguably, three of the state’s best Class 6A programs — Volcano Vista, Cleveland and defending state champion Rio Rancho — are in this league. And those three figure to have some tense battles this month.
On Tuesday afternoon, Adrianna Castillo threw a complete game, and Savannah Predika delivered a clutch two-RBI single as Cleveland (14-4, 2-0) edged visiting Volcano Vista (14-3, 2-1) by a 3-2 score.
“Whoever gets out of this district,” Storm coach Angel Castillo said, “has a shot at leading the way come state tournament time.”
It was a 1-1 game in the bottom of the fifth when Cleveland seized the lead.
The Storm loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a walk. On a full count, Predika singled to center, scoring two runs for a 3-1 edge.
Celina Sullivan’s RBI single for the Hawks in the top of the sixth shaved the deficit to 3-2, and Volcano Vista had the potential tying run at second base in the seventh with nobody out.
But Adrianna Castillo (12-1), the coach’s daughter, induced a pop fly, then struck out the final two batters.
The only real trouble Castillo encountered was largely her own doing. The first two pitches of the game plunked Hawk batters, and Volcano Vista scored an early run. The Hawk run in the sixth also came after a leadoff walk.
Cleveland tied the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth. Lindsey Paboucek singled, and moved to third on Hannah Obrey’s single.
Obrey stole second and reached safely when Volcano Vista catcher Lauren Wilmert threw high into center field. That allowed Paboucek to score easily from third base.
RIO RANCHO 14, CIBOLA 9: At Eagle Ridge Middle School, the Rams scored seven of the game’s first eight runs to beat the Cougars (8-8, 0-2) in a District 1-6A matchup.
Briana Martinez and BreOnna Castañeda each hit home runs for Rio Rancho (12-8, 2-1). The top five hitters in the Ram order combined for all 14 RBIs, including four by Martinez, and 11 of Rio Rancho’s 13 hits.
VALLEY 5, WEST MESA 3: The Vikings (10-6) scored three first-inning runs and held on to capture a District 5-6A opener.
Baseball
VOLCANO VISTA 10, CLEVELAND 6: At Volcano Vista, Hawks senior lefthander Tanner West and his teammates overcame a rough start before rallying for a District 1-6A win.
The Storm (13-6, 1-1) touched West up for three runs in the top of the first. But the Hawks answered with four in the bottom half and never trailed again.
West drove in three runs for Volcano Vista (12-5, 1-2 in 1-6A), which needed a win after league setbacks to Cibola and Rio Rancho last week.
ATRISCO HERITAGE 10, ALBUQUERQUE HIGH 1: At Atrisco, the Jags blew this District 5-6A opener against the Bulldogs (5-11) wide open with seven runs in the third. Matthew Marquez drove in three runs for Atrisco Heritage (11-5).
RIO RANCHO 9, CIBOLA 6: At Cibola, the Rams (16-4, 3-0) scored the game’s final six runs against the Cougars (106-1, 1-1) in a District 1-6A victory. Wille Baez had four hits for Rio Rancho, and Garrett Gouldsmith homered for the Rams.
WEST MESA 9, VALLEY 8: At Valley, Christian Ramos homered for the Mustangs (6-11), who held off a furious final at-bat rally by the Vikings (5-10-1) in a District 5-6A opener.
ST. PIUS 10, HIGHLAND 0 (5): At St. Pius, Matt Moleres pitched a perfect game for the Sartans (7-7), and Miles Hilton hit a home run.