The Jags continue a five-game winning streak by defeating the Vikings in a doubleheader

The Jags won the first game of the non-conference doubleheader 5-2, as starting pitcher and birthday girl Alaina Valdez, dominated over the Vikings with eight strikeouts, three hits, one earned run, and one walk. Valdez is first in Coast Conference for having 70 strikeouts under her belt. Valdez is also tied 5th for having a 1.52 ERA after pitching 83 innings this season.     

The Jags won 7-4 in the second game as Haley Castro sailed a three-run home run in the first inning and a sacrifice fly in the sixth to total four RBIs. Castro also closed the game to relieve Chelsea Rayment in the seventh inning. Rayment commanded her pitches to strike out six batters and allowed eight hits with two earned runs and one walk.     

For the day, Melissa Felix went 3 for 8 with three runs and two stolen bases. Malia Venegas went 3 for 5 with a double, three runs, two RBIs, two walks, and one stolen base. Jade Henry went 2 for 5 with two doubles, one run, one RBI, and one walk.    

In the first game, the Jags had a rough start with an error on the leadoff batter, which later followed into her scoring after an RBI line drive to right field. The Jags tied it 1-1 by Venegas grounding out, and as Felix rounded third, her speed forced an error on the throw to home as she slid in safely.   

With bases loaded in the third inning, Gabi Jordan and Karissa Smith had back-to-back RBI walks that increased the lead to 3-1. Two outs and Deja Jimenez popped up the ball to second base, who shuffled her feet to get under it, but she dropped it and threw it away from the catcher at home as two runs scored for the Jags.     

The Vikings added one more run in the seventh inning after a leadoff triple and an error on the Jags, but Valdez retired the last three batters to finish the game.     

The Jags delivered the first blow in the second game with Castro's three-run home run. The Vikings scored one run by Smith leaping up for the ball, but it touched the tip of her glove as the runner on second bolted home. In the second inning, Kiya Sandoval raced home during Venegas' double but was interfered with by the Vikings' shortstop, so she was called safe at home to lead 4-0.     

The Jags capitalized on the Vikings' error with Keana Castro on second, and Venegas knocked in K. Castro with an RBI single to right field. The Vikings responded with another run in the 6th inning, but the Jags responded with two more runs by Henry's RBI double and Castro's sacrifice fly.     

Castro was inserted in the 7th inning to relieve Rayment, and even though she gave up two runs, she was able to stop the bleeding to win the game.     

The Jags play a home game on Mar. 28th against West Valley Vikings at 3:00 pm PDT.  

By Malaya Street