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KNIGHTS DOMINATE FOES
RC scores 41, allows no runs en route to tournament title
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By DAVE CAMPBELL

The Bulletin

MODESTO –  Ripon Christian 41, everyone else 0.

 That was the cumulative score the Knights softball team tallied in three games over the weekend in walking away with the championship of the Ramsey Classic at Modesto Christian’s Ramsey Fields.

On Saturday, Ripon Christian (17-3) downed Rio Vista (7-7) twice by identical scores of 10-0.

Of the second game, Knights coach Lenny Rizzutto said, “The girls are on fire. Maddy (DeGraaf) had two home runs and Elizabeth (Thomas) had one. Elizabeth is leading the league in home runs and I think she is first or second in the state in RBIs.

 “The juniors were gone to (Washington) D.C. on a school trip so we worked with the younger girls. But now it was time to get back into the groove of things and they were a little rusty in the beginning with a bad day of practice before this tournament and then they just turned things around and the light turned back on and they were out there jamming again.”

De Graaf was masterful in the circle as well, striking out five and allowing just two hits in the five-inning contest. As leadoff batter she reached base all four trips to the plate, going 3 for 3 with two home runs, six RBI, three runs and a walk.

 “I was very happy with the way we played together throughout the tournament,” De Graaf said. “Especially coming together after a week or so off on our junior trip to Washington, D.C.

“This was the first time I hit two over the fence. I was just hitting the ball that was out there.”

Thomas – De Graaf’s battery mate – powered one over the fence as well, going 2 for 2 with two runs and a walk.

 “We were having fun,” said. “We were relaxed and playing together as a team.”

Morgan Van Elderen was 2 for 3 with a double.

In the first 10-0 game which only went four innings, Thomas (2 for 3, home run) knocked in five runs and De Graaf (2 for 3, triple) four. Mikaela Vander Molen went 2 for 2 with two runs and a double.

De Graaf struck out five and allowed three hits.


NorCal Classic

Ripon 8, Gregori 0

TRACY — After suffering its first loss this season earlier in the day Saturday, Ripon rebounded to handle Gregori of Modesto 8-0 in Platinum Bracket action of the NorCal Classic at Tracy Softball Complex.

 “They bounced back against a quality pitcher,” Indians coach Robert Vernon said. “She has verballed to Colorado state

 “We got four runs in the second and it got contagious after that.”

 Mackenzie Hutchinson belted a three-run home run for Ripon (19-1). Bianca Toledo (double, RBI) and Lilly Mejia were both 2 for 3 and Caitlynn Campbell doubled, stole second and scored two runs.

 Syd Thomason struck out four for the Indians and allowed five hits.

 

Oakdale 4, Ripon 0

 Thomason and Rhylee Magazinovic had the lone hits for the Indians with no Ripon baserunner getting past second.

 

“We just couldn’t come up with the hit,” Ripon coach Robert Vernon said. “We were out here trying to battle against a very tough team, and we were not intimidated.

“That game made us better, a lot better.”

 

Manteca 7, Los Banos 4

The Buffaloes (11-10) carried a 7-0 lead into the sixth inning and finished the tournament 2-2.

 Kaileah Johannsen (three RBI) and Alyssah Harnden (home run, two RBI) were both 2 for 3 for Manteca and Bella Gonzales (double) added an RBI.

 

Manteca 11, Dixon 3

 The Buffaloes put up seven first-inning runs.

Johannsen (triple),  Harnden (double) and Gonzales (double) were all 2 for 4 three RBI and a run. Mohrgen Khissee went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run and  Kaylee MacDannald (three runs) and Ariana Lowery (two runs) were both 2 for 3.

 

Gold Bracket

Dos Palos 4, 

East Union 3

The Lancers (12-8) came within a whisker of knocking off the 24-2 Broncos.

Trailing by a two runs entering the bottom of the seventh, East Union’s Danielle Godoy pushed a bunt into the outfield and ended up on second, scoring Danielle Ramos (2 for 3, double). Savina Molina singled, giving the Lancers runners at the corners with two outs and bringing Chloe Agueda to the plate.

Agueda, already 3 for 3 with an RBI, laced a laser toward left field only for the Dos Palos shortstop to stop the ball, bobble it and recover to make the game-ending catch.

“This is the first time this year we have lost where I thought we absolutely battled all the way to our last swing,” East Union coach Brian Goulart said. Godoy made two phenomenal catches.”

 

East Union 4, Linden 3

With the winning run aboard for the Lions (19-3) in the bottom of the seventh and two out, Godoy ranged halfway across the outfield to run down the winning out.

“We had some enthusiasm today,” Goulart said. “All we ask is to have hustle up and down the roster and the girls responded today.

“Godoy coming in from left center to right center on that game-ending catch was huge. If she doesn’t make that, we lose. That is as good of an outfield play as I can remember for us in quite a while.”

After coming off a recent loss to Linden, Lancers cleanup Mack Salgado reversed that trend quickly when she laced a three-run home run in the first inning.

“I knew I had it when she threw it,” said. “I have been due for a long time and it felt pretty good.”

Leadoff batter Allie Parker reached base in all three trips for East Union, going 2 for 3 with two runs and reaching on an error.

“We took a tough loss against Linden last time we played them,” said. “I knew if I started off good that would set the tone for us.”

Hayley Leonard went the distance for the Lancers, allowing just one run going into the seventh inning, striking out five and allowing seven hits.

 “I struggled in the beginning,” said. “But I got my stuff together.

“I knew once we got those four runs we could win after that. Our defense was good, everything was good.”