VPS softball crew improves record to 9-4 against No. 4 GB

The Villanova softball squad traveled to Simi Valley last Friday to take on the No. 4-ranked team in CIF Division VI, Grace Brethren (9-4).

The Wildcats, ranked No. 7, came away with a 4-1 victory.

The Wildcats loaded the bases in the second inning, but could not score a run. The third inning started with catcher Sydney Malkin singling up the middle. Third baseman Connelly Jenks followed with a single up the middle. Second baseman Kaitlyn Kirby bunted for a single and advanced the runners and pitcher Whitney Jenks singled and drove Malkin in.

In the fifth inning, the Wildcats scored three more runs. The inning started with a single to left field by Connelly Jenks. Connelly advanced to second base on a single by her sister Whitney. First baseman Tiffany Adams beat out an infield hit, loading the bases. Shortstop Jess Campbell lined a single over short driving in Connelly Jenks. A throwing error allowed Whitney Jenks and Adams to score. Campbell tried to score but was gunned out at home.

Whitney Jenks allowed only two hits and struck out eight batters in the victory. She was also the Wildcat's leading hitter, going three for four with an RBI. Campbell went two for four with an RBI. Connelly Jenks had a similar game, also going two for four.
Grace Brethren's only run came on a solo home run to right field by catcher Jamie Palacio in the fourth inning.

Wildcat coach Bob Malkin said this was the Wildcat's best game of the season and he was pleased his team beat a quality program like Grace Brethren in such a convincing manner.

"Grace is an excellent team," he said. "They have been beating good teams all season, by big margins. They have great hitters and we held them to two hits. This says a lot about our team."
The nest day, the Wildcats (7-3) took on Cate in a Condor League game at Villanova. The 'Cats nabbed a cool 14-0 win in a five-inning game called on the mercy rule.

Whitney Jenks threw a no-hitter and struck out 11 batters in the victory. She overpowered Cate batters, who only hit one ball ­ a fly ­ which was easily handled by center fielder Michelle Liu.
The Wildcats scored 14 runs on 12 hits. Whitney Jenks was also Villanova's leading hitter, connecting all three times at bat. She also racked up with four RBIs. First baseman Adams went three for three as well, and scored two runs and had one RBI. Campbell went one for two with a double. She also reached base on an error and scored.

The Wildcats scored three runs in the first inning. Malkin and Connelly Jenks both walked and Whitney Jenks singled, driving them in. Adams then singled and Michelle Liu sacrificed Adams home.

The Wildcats scored four runs in the second inning. Katie Parziale singled, leading off the inning, and stole two bases. Campbell reached base on an error and Parziale scored. Malkin hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Campbell. Connelly Jenks then singled up the middle and stole two bases and Kaitlyn Kirby singled Jenks in. Kirby stole two bases and Whitney Jenks lined a single to center scoring Kirby.

The Wildcats scored seven runs in the third inning. The inning started off with the first two batters being walked. Campbell then lined a double to left field, scoring one run. Malkin then singled in a run and Stephanie DeSantis, who came into the game at third base, singled in a run. Second baseman Alyssa Strom singled and drove in another run. Whitney Jenks singled and drove in another run. Adams then singled, driving in a run.
Villanova plays today at Laguna at 3 p.m.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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