Coming off four consecutive defeats, East Union took it out on rival Sierra on Tuesday in a 13-1 Valley Oak League win that ended in five innings at Northgate Softball Complex.
Freshman Rhyan Murillo blasted a three-run homer in the first inning, Savanna Lopez went 3 for 4 with two steals, two runs and two RBIs and senior Lily Pickering pitched 4 2/3 solid innings after wriggling out of an early jam.
Fallon Norman replaced Pickering in the circle with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning and needed just one pitch to escape unscathed, inducing a flyball to center field for the final out. Norman was also 2 for 2 with a double, a run and an RBI.
East Union (1-5, 8-7) twice rallied for six runs. Pickering contributed a two-run single in the third inning, while Michaela Tarr had an RBI double.
“Our record doesn’t show what we’re really made of,” East Union coach David Garza said. “These girls have been through a lot this season, and we’re really locking in now. Week to week, we’re getting better, and hopefully we could really put something together at the end of the season.”
Sierra (0-7, 5-7), which has lost 39 straight in the VOL, had an opportunity to strike first after Giovanna Garcia and Maitland Kohoutek (2 for 3) both singled.
East Union responded with its first six-spot in the bottom half. Caliyah Lopez (2 for 4, two runs) and Savanna Lopez sparked the Lancers with back-to-back infield hits Both scored with some aggressive base running.
Later, Murillo came up with her big shot to left-center field that put EU ahead 5-0 with still no outs.
“I basically just got an inside pitch, and that was something I worked on,” she said. “I struggled a bit with that in our last game versus Oakdale, so I had to prepare myself for this game.
“I had to calm myself down, waited for that inside pitch and I just took it. When I heard the pop, I just knew.”
The early flurry and some solid defensive work helped provide some comfort to Pickering, who finished with four strikeouts against seven hits and one walk allowed. She gave up a leadoff hit to Izabella Cervantez in the second inning, but the induced a 4-6-3 double play on the next pitch.
“It just helps me relax more, knowing that I can give up a walk or a hit and it doesn’t hurt us,” Pickering said. It takes the pressure off, for sure.”
Sky Kane knocked in Juliana Silva in the fifth inning for Sierra’s lone run. The first four Timberwolves batters reached in the inning, but the next three were retired in order.
East Union next competes in the St. Mary’s Tournament at Arnaiz Stadium in Stockton on Thursday and Saturday. Sierra hosts Mountain House next Tuesday, April 7.
