BOBCATS LIMIT VIKINGS' OFFENSE
By Marc Atwood
marcatwood@aol.com
 
(5/2/08 Chico, CA) The Paradise varsity softball team kept Pleasant Valley from getting within scoring range and proceeded to take a 3-0 win Friday at Hooker Oak Field.
 
The Bobcats' first scoring opportunity was wiped out in the top of the first inning when a groundout by Alicia Lorenz left Alex Sobrero stranded at second base. The Vikings got their first base hit of the game in the bottom of the second inning on a single by Kelsey Mansfield, but she was tagged out as Ryan Rodriguez hit into a fielder's choice.
 
Paradise got their first run in the top of the fourth inning when Sobrero scored on an error during Lorenz's at bat. Lorenz capped off her plate appearance by hitting an inside the park home run to give the Bobcats a 2-0 lead. Pleasant Valley failed to score in the bottom of the fourth inning as Rodriguez struck out, leaving Kiley and Kelsey Mansfield stranded.
 
Paradise added another run in the top of the fifth inning when Erikalani Santos reached base on an error, allowing Jessica Sharp to come home. They wouldn't get any further as Lorenz hit into a force play to leave the bases loaded. In the top of the sixth inning, the Bobcats missed another scoring opportunity as Melissa Castro also hit into a force play that left the bases loaded. The Vikings were unable to score in the bottom of the seventh inning as the game ended on a flyout by Ciara Flau that left Elle Troudy and Kaitlyn Williams stranded.
 
Sobrero went 2-for-3 for Paradise with a pair of singles, reached base on an error, and scored once. Sharp was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and scored once. Kelsey Mansfield went 2-for-3 for PV with a single and a double. Lorenz pitched the entire game for the Bobcats, allowing four hits and striking out five. Kiley Mansfield pitched six innings for the Vikings, allowing three runs, eight hits, and striking out three. Rodriguez pitched the seventh inning, striking out one and walking one.