Willow Glen Resident
Sports
Pisano's clutch hit lifts Leigh to 8-inning win
By Kevin Sparrer
Kayla Pisano was in the right place at the right time for the Leigh girls softball team last week--at least, as far as the Longhorns were concerned.
The place was the batter's box, and the time top of the eighth inning in Leigh's May 1 clash with Westmont.
Pisano had three hits in the game, including a triple, but it was her run-scoring hit in the eighth that was the difference in Leigh's 6-4 victory over the Warriors.
Carissa Theis earned her 23rd pitching win for the Longhorns and also roped a single and scored. Kirstie Zimmerman blasted a double, a single and scored, Brittney Pangborn knocked a double and scored, Elyse Eitel blasted a hit and Shelby Ford had an RBI.
On April 30, Leigh defeated Evergreen Valley 3-0 with Theis again toeing the rubber. Ford ripped two hits and scored for the Longhorns while Eitel ripped a double, drove in one and scored. Becca Hogan smacked a singled and had an RBI, Angela Handel knocked a single and scored and Brooke MacLean ripped a hit.
Leigh's two wins pushed the Longhorns to 11-1 in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and to 25-6 overall.
Leigh will host Pioneer on May 9 at 3:30 p.m. for the final game of the league season.
Pioneer bested Leland 5-3 on May 2 with Alyssa Walker picking up her ninth win of the season. Jessica Anderson belted a double and a single and had two RBIs in the win.
The lady Mustangs are now 6-6 in the Mt. Hamilton Division and 13-11 overall.
Lindsey Truan ripped three hits and drove in a run for Leland in the loss to Pioneer. Jessie Frediani belted a triple and scored, Megan Unger smacked a double, drove in a run and scored, Ashley Bower roped a single and drove in a run, Vanessa Chaulklin knocked a single and scored and both Lisa Fujihara and Rehanna Rinauro hammered hits.
The Chargers had defeated Santa Teresa 2-1 on April 30 with Frediani smacking a pair of hits and driving in one run, and Stephanie Spindler roped a single and had an RBI. Courtney Krail smacked a single and scored, Unger ripped a hit and Rinaruo scored a run.
The Chargers, 6-6 in the Mt. Hamilton Division and 12-13 overall, will head to Piedmont Hills on May 9 for the last game of the regular season at 3:30 p.m.
In Santa Teresa Division play, Branham defeated Prospect 10-0 in five innings on May 1. Kari Bittle earned her sixth win of the season and struck out 10 in the process. Samantha Reyes belted three hits and drove in one.
The Bruins are 10-2 in the division and 13-10-1 overall. Branham will host Del Mar on May 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Baseball
Matthew Brady tossed a 3-hit shutout to lead Leigh to a clutch 6-0 win over Live Oak on May 2. With the win, the Longhorns moved into a tie for first place with the Acorns.
The championship is on the line this week as the two clubs close out the Mt. Hamilton Division season with two games apiece. The Longhorns, 20-7-1 for the year, were to face Leland (5-15 in league, 11-16 overall) on Wednesday before closing out league play at home against Westmont (12-7, 19-8) on May 9, 3:30 p.m. The Acorns, meanwhile, were to put their 20-7 overall record up against Piedmont Hills (5-14, 7-18-1) on Wednesday and Santa Teresa (11-8, 14-9) on Friday.
Travis Velo hammered four hits and drove in two runs to lead the Longhorns offensively in the win over Live Oak.
In other division action, Pioneer defeated Piedmont Hills 4-0 on May 2 with Don Medlinger throwing a 3-hit shutout, striking out 14 in the win. Michael Pavicich knocked two hits, including a double, and drove in a run for the Mustangs.
Leland had a tough week, falling to Westmont 8-1 on May 2 despite a double by Nate Jones. Leland also lost 1-0 to Live Oak on April 30.
Branham fell to Santa Teresa 1-0 on May 1, despite Nick Rossetta blasting a pair of hits. Gino Valletta, Sam Whittemore and Erik Alcantar also ripped hits in the loss.
The Bruins also dropped one to Piedmont Hills 4-1 on April 30. Whittemore ripped the only double for Branham. Alcantar, Kevin Wallace and Chris Mendoza each singled. Valletta also knocked in the only run in the loss.
