RIPON – Ripon High’s softball team grabbed its first Trans Valley League win of the young season, rolling over the Ripon Christian Knights with ease 5-0 Thursday.
The Indians (1-2, 5-2 overall) received a standout performance from pitcher Kendra Contente, who dominated the Knights to the tune of two hits and 11 strikeouts. Contente went the distance for the win and got all the support she needed from just five Ripon hits.
“Kendra threw a two hitter and she was pretty dominant,” Ripon head coach Robert Vernon said. “She got into a little jam in the sixth inning, we intentionally walked a girl and then she struck out the next batter she faced.”
The Indians got two hits from Myranda Newhard and a hit apiece from Rachel Rodriguez, Nicole Kaiser, Caryn Lake and Kirsten Mortimer. Rodriguez, Mortimer, Kaiser, Alissa Vickers and Alex Vargas all plated runs for Ripon.
Ripon was able to scratch across one in the second and four in the third off Ripon Christian starter Jessica Myers. Myers had her good stuff, but untimely errors proved to be costly.
“Jessica threw a good game against us,” Vernon said. “She was able to change speeds effectively and got quite a few of us on her changeup. She looked real good today.”
Myers fanned 11 Indians but could not turn anywhere for offensive support.
Ripon is looking to move forward after landing its first league win, taking steps towards becoming a better squad with each day spent at the yard.
“We were a little bit flat for awhile there,” Vernon said. “We chatted about being more consistent and about going back and working on pitch recognition.
“Tomorrow we’re going to go back and work on improving our hitting.”
The Indians will be back on the diamond Monday when they play host to Vacaville Christian, followed by a TVL matchup with Riverbank Tuesday. The plight for the Knights doesn’t get any easier with a trip to Hughson to take on the Huskies scheduled for Monday.
The Indians (1-2, 5-2 overall) received a standout performance from pitcher Kendra Contente, who dominated the Knights to the tune of two hits and 11 strikeouts. Contente went the distance for the win and got all the support she needed from just five Ripon hits.
“Kendra threw a two hitter and she was pretty dominant,” Ripon head coach Robert Vernon said. “She got into a little jam in the sixth inning, we intentionally walked a girl and then she struck out the next batter she faced.”
The Indians got two hits from Myranda Newhard and a hit apiece from Rachel Rodriguez, Nicole Kaiser, Caryn Lake and Kirsten Mortimer. Rodriguez, Mortimer, Kaiser, Alissa Vickers and Alex Vargas all plated runs for Ripon.
Ripon was able to scratch across one in the second and four in the third off Ripon Christian starter Jessica Myers. Myers had her good stuff, but untimely errors proved to be costly.
“Jessica threw a good game against us,” Vernon said. “She was able to change speeds effectively and got quite a few of us on her changeup. She looked real good today.”
Myers fanned 11 Indians but could not turn anywhere for offensive support.
Ripon is looking to move forward after landing its first league win, taking steps towards becoming a better squad with each day spent at the yard.
“We were a little bit flat for awhile there,” Vernon said. “We chatted about being more consistent and about going back and working on pitch recognition.
“Tomorrow we’re going to go back and work on improving our hitting.”
The Indians will be back on the diamond Monday when they play host to Vacaville Christian, followed by a TVL matchup with Riverbank Tuesday. The plight for the Knights doesn’t get any easier with a trip to Hughson to take on the Huskies scheduled for Monday.
— Jagada Chambers
