Pioneer’s win streak snapped

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Patriots’ 5-game winning mark comes to an end following 7-1 loss to Vacaville

Pioneer’s Marisa Bryson hits a pitch during a 7-1 loss to Vacaville on Friday in Woodland. PHOTOS BY SHAUN HOLKKO — DAILY DEMOCRAT

Pioneer assistant coach Louis Pires talks to the Patriots in between innings of Friday’s game against Vacaville.

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By Shaun Holkko

sholkko@dailydemocrat.com

Pioneer High School varsity softball coach Linda Merrida is all about challenging her team, which is exactly what she did this weekend.

The Patriots (12-4) took on one of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s best in Vacaville (17-1) and were soundly defeated 7-1 on Friday afternoon in Woodland. The loss snapped Pioneer’s five-game winning streak.

“We didn’t give up, Merrida said. “Kept on hustling and battling. I think if we only could’ve squared up on the ball, the ball would’ve traveled a little bit more instead of going up in the air. We made contact, we didn’t strikeout as many as we thought.”

According to MaxPreps, the Bulldogs are the No. 2 team in the SJS and 18th in California. For comparison, the Patriots are 11th in the section and 111th in the state.

“We saw a pitcher that was pretty consistent,” Merrida recalled. “We were able to lay off some of her pitches. Obviously, they hit the ball well. So we were able to field the balls that were hit. Maybe if we could find the fence, that would’ve been an out instead of a run scored.

“Just little things that we still need to work on. I liked their effort, it’s not like they just let the ball go and just quit, they hustled after the ball.”Vacaville scored twice in the third, once in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, and three in the seventh.

“If you would’ve eliminated three of their innings, because we had two outs, and just a little miscue. Their last four runs they probably shouldn’t have scored,” Merrida proclaimed.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Hayden Kyne with a game-high three RBI. The sophomore went 3-for-4 with three doubles and three runs scored. Junior Ashlyn Wilson followed closely behind as she went 2-for-3 with a homer, a double, an RBI and a run.

Pioneer scored its lone run of the contest in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman shortstop Marisa Bryson reached base on a single to left center field that the Vacaville outfielder nearly caught. Bryson scored on a single down the right field line by sophomore third baseman Sofia Hernandez.

In the circle for the Patriots was sophomore Jia Beebe, who remained unfazed by Vacaville’s onslaught, which is why Merrida calls her the, “Ice Queen.”

“Jia had seven strikeouts today, that’s pretty good against a team that has a good hitting attack,” Merrida explained. “That’s what she does all season, she doesn’t give up. She’s going to work hard and deal the ball. If it’s hit, she’s going to expect her teammates to back her up.”

Beebe (10-4) took the loss after tossing all seven innings, allowing 13 hits, seven runs (six earned) and one walk with seven strikeouts on 92 pitches.

Junior pitcher Xochitl Atayde (9-1) earned the win for the Bulldogs. She pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and one earned run with four punch-outs on 87 pitches.

Pioneer will now shift its focus back to the chase for a championship with three Golden Empire League matchups next week, including a midweek game against crosstown rival, Woodland High.

First, the Patriots (12-4, 5-1 GEL) host Rio Linda (9-7, 2-4) on Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

“We have six more (league) games left and a share of first place,” Merrida foreshadowed. “We just have to take this game and go after whoever pitches. We struggled with the Rio Linda (pitcher) but I think if we attack like we did today, and are disciplined at the plate, we’ll be fine.”