The first home game of the season turned out to be pulse throbbing until the last out was made. On Tuesday, March 9, the
Granite Hills (Porterville, Calif.) High School Lady Grizzlies (4-0) pulled through with a win, 10-8, after a three run homerun was made by Woodlake Lady Tiger, Vanessa Reynoso in the sixth inning to tie the game 6-6.
In the first couple of innings the Lady Grizzlies were able to keep their momentum up and keep the lead on the scoreboard. Junior pitcher
Katlyn Fife started the game, pitched three innings and allowed no runs. She also had five strikeouts.
Granite Hills softball
Photo by Ryan Gibson
Coach Terry Williams then felt it was time for freshman
Ashley Halopoff to take the mound.
“I wanted to give her the experience of pitching at the varsity level,” Williams said. “She hit a triple that brought up the momentum of the team up, we needed that hit.”
Halopoff pitched four innings, allowed eight runs and a homerun. On the other hand, she was able to throw some heat across the plate and sent five batters back to the dugout. Halopoff put herself in a handful of pickles, but, nevertheless, she finished pitching the game.
In the bottom of the sixth the Lady Grizzlies had to step up to the plate – big time. The girls brought their bats to life and brought in two runs, making the score 10-8.
Seniors
Jennifer Landers was two for four and
Deanna Alamillo was also two for four. Alamillo is Granite’s main power hitter with a batting average of .769. The power hitter also demonstrated her ability to use speed – she currently has 21 stolen bases.
“I’m not doing anything special, I’m just trying to make contact with the ball,” Alamillo said.
Both speed demons managed to lay down bunts in order to advance runner. Senior Marykate Herrera also was two for four.
However, seniors weren’t the only ones stepping up to the plate. Junior Tommi Harlien went two for four and Halopoff hit a triple that sent the outfielders running to the fences.
“We’re putting girls in different places, we really do have a great team,” Williams said. “Our team is really stepping up and they are doing a great job. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Today, the Lady Grizzlies will take on the Lady Emperors from Dinuba High School (1-2) away.
