Turlock Christian starting pitcher Cassie Balswick allowed one run and the Eagles softball team walked 16 times as they surged to their second consecutive Central California Athletic Alliance win over Stone Ridge Christian at home on Monday in a mercy-rule victory, 16-1.
“We are finally a varsity team because when we started we were all freshmen and with the experience we have now... that has led to our great bats,” said TC senior Megan Jones. “Teamwork always helps us win.”
“I think we played pretty well. I don't think we will have any trouble hitting the ball,” said TC head coach Randy Hopkins.
In their first two games the Eagles have outscored both league opponents, 34-1, and have taken an early 2-0 lead in the CCAA.
With a fiery start on offense in the first game of the year, scoring 18 runs against Brookside Christian, the Eagles continued that dominance in Monday's game with a stout performance from the outfield to the infield.
The Eagles allowed the Knights to tally only three hits for the game as Balswick struck out six and did not walk a single batter in five innings.
“Cassie always does well when we go out and tells us what to do in certain situations so I think she is a big reason why we played such great defense today and we all play well together,” Jones said.
It didn't take long for the Eagles offense to get on the scoreboard as they scored two runs after back-to-back RBI singles from Abbie Morelli and Madison Yagi.
In the bottom of the second, the Eagles scored nine unanswered and took an 11-0 lead heading into the third after a one-out rally.
“Our team is selective with their pitches and that is something we have talked about, getting the right pitch to hit,” Hopkins said. “And they are disciplined about swinging at good pitches and holding back on bad ones.”
Balswick was 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, Morelli finished with two RBI and Meghan Mark was 2-for-3 with two RBI behind an offense that got on base 23 times and scored five more runs in the final three innings.
“That is a lot of runs, but then again a lot of those were scored on walks or unearned, but give credit to our girls they played well,” said Hopkins. “We played good defense, we will continue to and also we will score runs. We played really well today, we really did.”
The only run scored for Stone Ridge was in the top of the fourth but at that point the Eagles still led 14-1.
“God keeps us motivated, especially since we are a Christian school. Everything we do is in his honor,” Jones said. “And I think as long as we keep that in our minds we will continue to do great, but if not it’s still all for his glory.”
TC will travel to Venture Academy and the game will begin at 3:45 p.m. April 13.
