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Ripon repeats as Delta Section Junior Softball champ
Ripon Junior Softball All-Stars
Ripon shows off its second Delta Section Junior Softball championship banner in as many years. The all-star team swept Walnut Creek in a best-of-three series in Martinez this past weekend. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Ripon Little League’s junior all-stars are Delta Section champions for a second straight year after sweeping Walnut Creek in a best-of-three series this past weekend at Hidden Lakes Park in Martinez.

It did not come easy, however, as Ripon won both games by a run and needed a late comeback to take the clincher.  

With Ripon down to its final out in the top of the seventh, Olivia Jasper belted a two-run single for a 5-4 lead. Pitcher Annabelle Hoff then secured the

win in the bottom half.

Walnut Creek, the District 4 champion, had two runners on with one out, but Hoff turned a double play to end the threat and the game. She caught a line drive up the middle and threw it to first baseman Joey Myers for the force out.

Hoff went the distance from the circle, firing six strikeouts against five walks. She gave up four runs (one earned) on six hits. Hoff also went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Myers contributed an RBI single in the top of the first. Walnut Creek took a 4-3 lead in the fifth thanks to a wild pitch.

Ripon Junior Softball All-Stars
Kendall Alexander pitches during her one-hit gem for Ripon on Saturday against Walnut Creek in the Northern California Little League Delta Section finals. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Kendall Alexander was the standout in the opener, amassing 14 strikeouts in the 3-2 triumph for Ripon. She pitched all seven innings, issuing five walks in the one-hitter.

Alexander got all the run support she needed in the bottom of the second inning when Kailey Klien and Sophia Jauregui each drew bases-loaded walks. Ana Shriver added an RBI single.

Hoff went 2-for-3, while Reagan Fernandez and Jauregui drew two walks apiece.

Ripon returns to Hidden Lakes Park this upcoming Saturday for the Northern California State Tournament. Ripon opens with the Mission Section champion at 9 a.m., and the winner takes on the Shasta Section titlist at 3 p.m. The final round is on July 1 and, if necessary, July 2. The NorCal winner advances to the West Region Tournament in Tucson, Ariz.