The Lancers’ two-way standout is off to a hot start to the season. Last week, she played in four of East Union’s five games and helped the team claim the ‘B’ bracket championship of the Rainbow Classic in Modesto.

Molina blasted a home run in three different games, totaling nine RBIs. From the pitcher’s circle, she went 3-0 and struck out 27 over 17 innings while only giving up two walks and five hits. She threw a five-inning no-hitter in a non-tournament win over Stagg.

“On the offensive side, Layla is seeing the ball well right now,” East Union coach Steffany Zanini said. “I depend on her to get something going at the plate, and she usually delivers. Defensively, she’s a stud. She finds her rhythm early, and once that happens she’s hard to hit.

“She’s just getting started, and we’re very lucky to have her wearing red, white and blue.”

In her no-hitter against Stagg last Friday, Molina walked the first batter she faced but was dialed in from there, finishing with 10 strikers while only facing two batters over the minimum. She also hit a home run in the top half of the first, spotting herself a 3-0 lead.

In the Rainbow Classic finale Saturday against El Capitan, she carried a shutout into the seventh before giving up back-to-back singles in the 6-1 victory. She fired another 10 strikeouts and allowed just four batters to reach base.

East Union (5-1) returns to action today at Bear Creek for its final non-league contest.