La Cañada High School varsity softball coach Chuck Gunter is always challenging his team, and it was no different against a struggling San Marino squad on Tuesday.
“We working different things for different games,” Gunter said. “Yesterday, we spent a lot of time working on something that I wanted the girls to do well. They’re trying to execute situationally, and they did what we needed to do.”
The Spartans took advantage of just about every scoring situation and clobbered the visiting Titans, 15-0, in a Rio Hondo League game that ended after five innings because of the mercy rule.
La Cañada built a six-run lead in the first two innings and kept the hit parade going. Reliever Meghan Henry blasted a solo home run in the third inning, and Alexis Abboud doubles in Kathleen Knudsen. Maddy Reilly blasted a two-run single, and Abby Au belted a double that drove in Reilly. Dianna Carranza also hit a two-run single, Knudsen added an RBI double and Annette Figueroa also had an RBI single.
Holly Stoner pitched the first two frames and Gunter opted to give his ace some rest. Henry entered the circle and was just as dominant.
“She’s awesome, as usual,” Gunter said. “She hasn’g got that many innings this year during league, but whenever she comes in, you can’t tell the difference. It’s like we have two No. 1 pitchers. It really is awesome.”
La Cañada (12-4 overall record) remained perfect in Rio Hondo League play with an 8-0 record, and maintain a two-game lead over second-place Monrovia.
“We feel good right now,” Gunter said. “We’re in the driver’s seat. Everyone gives us their best game. We’ve had close games with Temple City, Monrovia gives us good games, and South Pas and San Marino can steal one from you. We’ll just focus on South closing out the series against South Pasadena and move on.”
The Spartans, ranked No. 9 in CIF Southern Section Division 4, will hit the road to take on the Tigers this Friday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m.
Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep 10
Flintridge Prep 6
Errors plagued the Rebels and allowed visiting Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep to extend innings and build a big lead that was too much for them to overcome in a 10-6 loss on Tuesday.
The Kares jumped out to a three-run lead in the opening frame and added two more in the second. The visitors’ biggest inning was a four-run sixth that extended their lead to 10-2.
Flintridge Prep committed six errors in the contest, and pitcher Therese Oshiro was dealt the loss. Libby Penn led Prep’s offense going 4-for-4 with two doubles.
Flintridge Prep (9-5 overall, 4-4 in league) will travel to Pasadena to take on Mayfield Senior in a Prep League game this Friday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 12
Flintridge Sacred Heart 1
The Tologs were unable to keep up with host Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in a 12-1 loss on Tuesday.
The Knights exploded with seven runs in the fourth inning and pulled away from Flintridge Sacred Heart, which scored its lone run in the top of the second.
The Tologs will compete in the Spring Fling Tourney this weekend and take on Los Angeles Eagle Rock this Saturday, April 29, at noon.
