Paly’s varsity softball team defeated the Menlo-Atherton Bears, 11-1, in a non-league game Monday afternoon.
This was the first game for the Lady Vikes because the Paly vs. Leland game scheduled for Saturday was cancelled due to rain.
The game ended after six innings in accordance to the 10 run rule, which states that the team ahead by 10 runs after five innings wins the game.
The Vikes were up 10-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning. However, in the top of the fifth inning, with two outs and a runner on second, M-A player Natalie Chladek hit the ball to right-fielder sophomore Meghan Tesi, who threw the ball to first basemen, sophomore Katie Barich. The runner on second headed towards home, so Barich threw to catcher sophomore Anne Widera, but the M-A runner was safe. Widera, seeing the runner on first start for second, threw to shortstop, senior Kelli Fangonilo, who tagged the runner out. This made the score 10-1.
In the bottom half of the next inning sophomore Claire Anderton, in for third basemen sophomore Kristine Miller, reached first on a walk. Tesi drove her home on a single through the right side of the field, bringing the score to 11-1.
From the start of the game, Paly showed dominance when switch-hitter Fangonilo lined a ball to deep center. Fangonilo made it to third and then was waved on by Coach George Fangonilo. She was called out at the plate after sliding too far to the right and missing the plate.
Paly’s big rally started in the bottom of the third inning when Barich reached first on a ball popped up between third base and the pitchers mound, a lucky infield single. Widera came up next and lay down a perfect sacrifice bunt down the third baseline, moving Barich to second. Fangonilo slammed a single to center, advancing Barich to third. After sophomore Nikki Remmel singled up the middle, Barich scored and Fangonilo stole home, making the score 2-0. The rally came to an end after sophomore Sisley Brewer doubled to right, scoring Remmel. Paly was up, 3-0, by the end of the third inning.
In the top of the fourth, M-A attempted its own rally. With one out, Teresa Tenisi popped it up to Brewer at second who dropped it, allowing Tenisi to make it to first. Jessica Altman was hit by a pitch, making it runners on first and second with two outs. They were unable to score, maintaining Paly’s 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Paly packed on seven runs on hits by Miller, senior Elena Stillerman, Barich, junior Tiffany Hawes, Remmel, Brewer, and junior Brittany Stankovic.
Paly sophomore pitcher Christie Cory pitched a complete game, allowing only one run.
“I was really pleased with Cory,” Coach Fangonilo said. “She stepped up and pitched a great game. It looks like she’s ready to go.”
Beating M-A is a great start for Paly, as M-A is in a different division, giving Paly more points towards the Central Coast Sectional finals (CCS) and was also last years’ league winner for the Ocean League.
“M-A won league last year, so beating them counts for 2 or 3 points towards CCS,” Stillerman said.
Paly’s next home game is Thursday vs. Los Altos at 3:30 p.m.