Lady Yellowjackets bitten by Bulldogs

The Williams High softball team took its first swings of the season on Friday, collecting five hits in a 17-6 loss in Los Molinos.

The Lady Yellowjackets roster features just 12 players, and with five of them either being sophomores or freshmen, coach Heather Covarrubias said that many of the girls will be called on to learn and play multiple positions.

Williams staked themselves to a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, when senior Cassandra Lopez singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and took third on an infield ground out. Ashlin Covarrubias, who also took the ball in the pitcher's circle, then brought Sanchez home with a solid single into center field.

The Yellowjackets were kept off the board until the 5th inning, while Los Molinos responded with three runs in the 1st, followed by five, five, and four runs in each of the next three innings.

Halley Ulrich's 2-run double was the big blow in the 2nd, while Katie Morgan rapped a 3-run inside-the-park home run in the 4th.

Covarrubias bunter her way aboard in the top of the 3rd with tow outs, and moved all the way to third on wild pitches, but was left stranded.

Covarrubias singled in the Williams 5th and Rachael Wilson followed her by coaxing a base on balls. Catherine Jorge followed with a fielder's choice that forced Sylvia Orosco out at the plate after she had walked to begin the frame, but left the bases loaded.

Emilee Cranford waited out a walk to force in a run, as did Renee Orosco, bringing Elizabeth Mendez to the batter's box.

Mendez squared up the pitch and drove it solidly into left field and the Yellowjackets were off to the races, with Jorge, Cranford and Orosco all coming in to score on Mendez's 3-run double.

Covarrubias was in the strike consistently for the 'Jackets, but had the bad luck facing a Los Molinos squad that brought their hitting sticks, as the Bulldogs collected 14 hits on the day.

Along with Covarrubias, Jorge, Mendez, Cassandra Lopez and Alma Pina are the team's seniors. Covarrubias will also be used at third base, and Mendez catches. Lopez will man the middle infield positions, while Pina and Jorge will patrol the outfield.

Sylvia Orosco, one of the team's two juniors, will also be in the outfield, while Emilee Cranford will anchor first base.

Of the sophomores, Courtney Carter and Allison Ward will spend time in the outfield, while Carmen Ramirez will be penciled down at third base or in the outfield.

Freshman Renee Orosco is also a capable infielder who will see work innings at shortstop and second base, and fellow frosh Wilson will play shortstop as well as pitch.

Williams (0-1) hosts Princeton March 12.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.