THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

After a solid start in the Capital Valley Conference, the Whitney High softball team fell to Del Campo Friday 7-2. The Cougars put together a four-run rally in the top of the second inning and held on for the victory. Wildcats head coach Mike Mello sent his two aces into the circle to try and hold back Del Campo, but the Cougars made their hits count. The visitors scored off of nine hits and one base on balls. Senior Alexandria Romanov put in 3 2/3 innings of work and junior Ashley Bliss went 3 1/3 innings. Whitney scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to trail by just three runs. But Del Campo came back to add two runs in their half of the sixth for the final score. The Wildcats’ Claire Stover scored and drove in a run. Lizzie Salvato also scored and Mazie Macfarlane had an RBI double. Micaela Harris tripled, and Makenzie Macfarlane and Tori Schlenz also had hits in the contest. The ‘Cats travel to Ponderosa (2-0, 7-4) Wednesday and return to host Oakmont (1-1, 7-4) Friday. Whitney 8, Bella Vista 5 The Wildcats broke loose for five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and held off the Broncos for the win Wednesday. “We’re a young team, a surprising team. They’re a very cohesive group,” said Mello. “I’ve got some young ones coming through for me … . We did a lot of hit and run. We’re to keep their defense on their toes at all times; we’re going to keep their defense on their toes.” Junior Kenzi Palmer got things going in the fourth with an RBI triple to bring sophomore Mazie Macfarlane home; the ‘Cats then loaded the bases with no outs. Palmer scored on sophomore Ashley Williams’ hit and Makenzie Macfarlane scored on a passed ball, as did Kailie Hargis. Williams scored on Stover’s sacrifice for the winning run. Bella Vista came back for four runs in the top of the sixth, but Whitney answered with three more runs in the bottom of the inning. The Broncos came back to score a run in the top of the seventh, but solid defense by the Wildcats ended the contest. Williams turned two outs at second base and first baseman Breanna Eastlick snagged a line drive for the final out. Romanov put in six innings of work and struck out four. Bliss came on in the seventh for relief. “I’ve got great pitching staff,” Mello said. “(Romanov) gave up a couple walks, but we brought Ashley (Bliss) right in and had her finish the game like she did.” Mello said he discussed pitching strategy with Romanov earlier in the contest and said his starter was in complete agreement with making the pitching change. Palmer had three hits and two RBI, Williams had two hits and scored twice. Eastlick also had a hit and an RBI.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

WHITNEY TOPPLES BELLA VISTA

JIM LINSDAU

Placer Herald | 3/18/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Jim Linsdau