Pirates Fall Twice in Season Opening Double Header

Visalia, CA: Game One:  MJC 7 - COS 8  Modesto built a six-run cushion in the opening inning, but Sequoias chipped away and ultimately completed an 8–7 comeback win Saturday afternoon at the Softball Complex in Visalia.

Modesto (0–1) erupted immediately in the top of the first, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs on a mix of timely hits and Sequoias miscues. Breanna Tyler (Sierra HS) started the scoring with an RBI double to center, and Lea Altstadt (East Union HS) followed with an RBI single. A throwing error brought home another run, Allie Vincent (Kimball HS) added a sacrifice-groundout RBI, and C. Campbell capped the inning with a two-run homer to center for a 6–0 lead.

Sequoias (1–0) answered in the second when M. Lujan launched a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 6–2. In the third, Sequoias took advantage of a Modesto error to plate another run and make it 6–3. Modesto briefly steadied in the fourth as Camryn Mattos (Hilmar HS) drove in Kali Saykao (Davis HS) with an RBI single to push the lead to 7–3, but the game swung moments later.

In the bottom of the fourth, Sequoias posted four runs to erase the deficit. A. Salcedo delivered the biggest blow with a two-run double, and S. Somavia followed with a two-run double of her own to tie the game at 7–7. The decisive run came in the sixth, when A. Mendoza singled up the middle to score Salcedo for an 8–7 Sequoias lead that held to the final out.

Despite being out-hit 9–6, Modesto's early advantage was undermined by four errors, which contributed to multiple unearned runs. Sequoias committed one error.

In the circle, Sequoias starter A. Rodriguez earned the win after striking out 10 over 6.1 innings, allowing just one run on one hit before a turbulent final inning required relief help. Modesto's Vincent worked four innings and allowed seven runs (six earned), and Mahaila Guzman (Riverbank HS) took the loss after surrendering the go-ahead run in the sixth.

Key performers included Cadee Campbell's (Turlock HS) two-run homer highlighted Modesto's offense. Attendance was 50, and the game lasted 2:25.

GAME 2:  MJC 1 - COS 10 (5 innings) Modesto struck first in the top of the first. Saykao reached and eventually scored on Mattos' RBI single up the middle, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead. But Sequoias answered immediately in the bottom half when A. Mendoza lined an RBI single to left to tie it 1–1, and the game quickly tilted from there.

Sequoias broke it open in the second inning, capitalizing on traffic and timely hitting to make it 4–1. The third inning brought more damage to push the margin to 7–1. Sequoias put the finishing touch on the scoring in the fifth with a two-run homer to center.

Modesto managed five hits—two from Ayla Lucerda (Turlock HS) and one each from Saykao, Mattos, and Jannet Valencia (Central Valley HS)—but couldn't string together sustained threats after the opening inning.

Modesto pitchers Mya Arista (Los Banos HS) (0–1) and Soraya Mendoza (Enochs HS) combined to allow 10 runs on 11 hits with six walks

Final: Sequoias 10, Modesto 1
Records: Sequoias improved to 2–0; Modesto fell to 0–2.
Attendance/Time: 50 fans, 1:47.

Pirates first home game is on February 6th versus Lassen College in a 12pm/2pm Double Header