The Topper Team came out in force to celebrate Maria DeHerrera’s home run in the 5th inning. The Topper team ran up 5 home runs in the first game of a double hitter played at Pojoaque High School. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Grant Watkins pitched the second game of the double hitter and pitched 14 strikeouts and a complete game allowing only one hit. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By MIKE COTE
Sports
Los Alamos Daily Post
Los Alamos’ baseball and softball teams pulled off impressive sweeps of their counterparts from Pojoaque Valley Saturday in Jacona.
Los Alamos’ softball team put up 30 runs in two games against the Elkettes Saturday, winning game one 17-2 in five innings and holding on for a 13-7 victory in game two.
The Hilltopper baseball team, meanwhile, outscored the Elks 21-0 en route to a doubleheader sweep at Thomas McReynolds Field.
Game one of the softball doubleheader, followed by game two of the baseball doubleheader, were broadcast on the Los Alamos Daily Post’s YouTube channel.
Both Los Alamos teams showed off some offensive firepower Saturday.
For the Hilltopper softball team, it blasted five home runs in game one against the Elkettes, three of those coming in the fifth inning to allow the team to close out that contest early.
The five home runs came from five different Los Alamos hitters: Maria DeHerrera, Dailynn Rodriguez, Abby DeHerrera, Mikaelya Guillen and Hannah Bergemann. Of those home runs, only Bergemann’s was not half of a back-to-back homer situation.
In all, Los Alamos pounded out nine extra-base hits. Abby DeHerrera, Rodriguez and Guillen also had doubles in the contest and Reyana Naranjo smashed a triple.
On the mound, Bella Robertson went the distance in game one, striking out nine. She struck out at least two batters in every inning but the fifth.
In the second game, Los Alamos pounded out 17 total hits, nine of those going for extra bases. Guillen had three triples and drove in five runs, while Abby DeHerrera had a pair of doubles while going 4-for-4 at the plate.
For Los Alamos’ baseball team, it remained undefeated in district play with Saturday’s wins.
After taking the first game 10-0 – despite the score that would’ve been enough for a mercy-rule victory, the game actually lasted the full 7 innings – the Hilltoppers won the second game 11-0 in just five innings.
In game one, Los Alamos came up with three runs in the top of the third and stayed in control the entire rest of the way.
Los Alamos rallied for five runs in the top of the third, earning three hits and drawing five walks in the inning. Los Alamos then put together a four-run rally in the top of the fifth to put themselves in position for the win.
Grant Watkins had one of the best games of his career in game two. Not only did he hit a 3-run home run in the fifth, but he threw a complete game on the mound consisting of striking out 14 batters.
Watkins struck out the side in every inning but the fourth when Pojoaque Valley’s Angelo Romero flew out to center field. Watkins allowed just three hits and no Elk got past second base in the game.
Charles Steinkamp, who came off the bench early in the ballgame, led off the fourth inning with a solo home run and had a run-scoring double in the fifth.
At the halfway mark, the Hilltopper baseball team is 6-0 in District 2-4A play (12-7 overall), 2-1/2 games ahead of second-place Taos. The Hilltoppers also have a doubleheader at Espanola Valley April 16.
The Hilltopper softball team is 5-1 on the 2-4A season (13-7 overall) but is just a half-game ahead of Espanola Valley – those two teams also have a doubleheader on April 16.
In their first meeting in White Rock, Espanola Valley was in control of the game until the bottom of the sixth when the Sundevils’ wheels fell off defensively and Los Alamos pulled out a come-from-behind 7-5 victory.
Isabella Robertson pitched the first game of the double hitter and pitched a complete game. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Zack Gonzales gets a solid hit in the second game. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Abagail DeHerrera makes the catch in time for the out at 2nd base in the first game. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Estevan Trujillo lays down a bunt in the second game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Reyanna Naranjo slides into 3rd base ahead of the tag by Sage Vallo in the first game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Grant Watkins celebrates his three-run home run. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com