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Sports

Capistrano Valley Christian Handles Saddleback Valley Christian in Softball, 19-3

Eagles score 11 runs in first three innings of their San Joaquin League game to roll easily over host Warriors.

Capistrano Valley Christian's softball team jumped to an early lead against Saddleback Valley Christian and never let the Warriors back into the game, rolling to a 19-3 San Joaquin League victory on Wednesday at Saddleback Valley Christian School.

It was a battle between teams with league title aspirations -- both were "others" in the CIF Southern Section Division 6 coaches' poll -- but it was the Eagles who looked the sharpest. Behind a strong outing by junior pitcher Franny Manzo and an offense that was hot from the start, CVCS had the Warriors off-balance all game long.

“It was a clinic," SVCS coach Dave Martin said. "They put on a clinic today.”

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CVCS scored 11 runs over the first three innings, sparked by hits by four of their first six batters. The Eagles had their first five batters reach base, though one was erased on a fielder’s choice. After that, sophomore Chloe Pureco's two-run double gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead. One out later, junior Kelli Nelson's single brought in another run to make it 4-0 after the first inning.

The Eagles continued to roll in the second, starting with a base on balls and followed by four consecutive singles to plate four more runs and push their lead to 8-0 after two innings. Coach Bruce Sanborn said he was a little surprised at how effective his team was at holding down the Warriors, adding that they are a dangerous offensive team and he expected a slugfest.

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Sanborn said his team had struggled with defense earlier in the year and had spent their past two practices focusing almost exclusively on its play in the field. It appeared to have worked.

“That was a big improvement, a big step," Sanborn said. "Improving our defense is our goal.”

In the third inning, SVCS finally got some offense going when freshman outfielder Madelyn Seward led off the inning with a walk. One out later, senior shortstop Victoria Martinez singled to put runners on the corners. Sophomore catcher Cindy Gallina was hit by a pitch to load the bases and senior first baseman Christina Vogt lined a single through the infield to drive in two runs. But Manzo was able to strike out the next two batters to end the inning.

The Eagles bounced back in the top of the fourth to score eight runs and regain complete control of the game. With the bases loaded, senior Amy Dolkas drove a ball through the left-center field gap for a three-run triple.

Senior first baseman Kelsey Hodge was four-for-four with four RBIs to lead the Eagles and Manzo had three hits with three runs. Senior third baseman and leadoff batter Jessica Nipp reached base four times and scored four runs for the Eagles.

CVCS improved to 4-8 overall and 2-0 in league play. SVCS suffered its first loss, falling to 6-1 and 2-1.

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