Blue J's

The Northridge 8U Gold All Stars and Simi Valley 8U All Stars satisfied everyone’s desire for some summer softball as they got the All Star season underway in a well played game for a season opener championship game.  Northridge got off to a fine start engaging in a fierce pitching battle and mostly reliable defense to record a 0-1 loss. 

While Northridge got a chance to see the areas that need some work, they also witnessed a lot of good things, including some strong pitching from Allyson Melgar and Aliyah Rincon who held the Simi to one run over six innings of phenomenal softball.  Melgar pitched 5 efficient innings, facing 18 batters and only throwing 54 pitches.  Rincon come in relief to close the game and gave up no runs.  The Northridge pitching received some needed help from their infield.  Melgar, Rincon, Jasmine Wehn and Ava Justman contributed to outs in the game.  The outfielders, Catrina Wolfe, Christina Sottile, Ashley Sawyer and Allaney Goodwin exemplified the true spirit of their positions. 

Northridge struggled on offense.  In the first inning, Northridge’s catcher, Nikki Santa Cruz had the first hit of the game with a line drive to center field.  In the second inning, Ellison Hazlett and Paolina Baez both walked but were unable to score.  Northridge tried to overcome the 0-1 deficit by getting an impressive rally to start the 5^th inning.  Melgar walked to start the inning; Wehn laid down a bunt down the 3^rd base line on a 1-2 count; runners were in scoring position, but Northridge could not produce a run.  Alyssa Sierra came to the plate in the 6^th inning, with an 0-2 count and hit a screaming line drive down the 1^st base line that was a hotly contested foul.  Northridge battled bravely, but came up short, but without a rousing ovation from the Northridge faithful.