Softball: Bonita takes care of streaking Los Altos 7-0 behind freshman pitcher Sanchez

By John Honell, Correspondent
Taking advantage of a fielding error in the first inning and getting another strong pitching performance from freshman Anissa Sanchez was enough for Bonita High School to stop the five-game winning streak of Hacienda League rival Los Altos on Wednesday. The Bearcats (13-2, 1-0) scored four unearned runs in the first inning and went on to beat the Conquerors 7-0.

“That error certainly helped,” Bearcats coach Ken Carlson said. “This was our first league game and we were a little nervous. We came out and did our business. We got some opportunities and took advantage of them.”

Starter Jennipher Solis of the Conquerors (7-3, 2-1) struggled with her control in the first inning but almost got out of trouble before a two-out error opened the flood gates for the Bearcats.

“We talked about that after the game,” Conquerors coach Ignacio Hernandez said. “There were two outs and we got a routine ground ball. It should have been 0-0 and it would have been a different ballgame.”

Courtney Gano, who transferred from Los Altos this year, celebrated her 18th birthday by scoring a pair of runs and going 1 for 2.

She also anchored the Bearcats’ defense with five assists and three putouts.

“I was a little nervous at first,” Gano said. “It was nice to see my old teammates, but I knew I just had to go out there and play my game and not think about it.”

Michelle Whitt capped the first-inning rally with a two-run single as she continued her hot hitting in only her third start behind the plate for the Bearcats.

“I thought I was going to play third base this year,” Whitt said. “Then I saw the opportunity to catch and took it. I love catching now and don’t know where else I’d play.”

Sanchez scattered three hits in picking up her 13th win of the season.

“Anissa is getting stronger,” Carlson said. “She’s developing her own mound presence. She getting more confident and getting her own demeanor and how she wants to attack the game.

“It’s fun to work with her and see her grow up.”

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