Andrea DeJesus's two-run inside-the-park homer powered West Valley to an 8-0 six-inning win over San Joaquin Delta Tuesday in Saratoga. Ashlie Nakano spun a seven-strikeout, three-hit, complete-game shutout, as the Vikings moved to 7-1 on the season.
The DeJesus HR keyed a three-run second inning that saw the Vikings send nine batters to the plate. With two down, DeJesus stroked a fading liner to short right that was misplayed by Delta's Arianna Coelho and scooted all the way to the fence driving in Daniella Simon, who had drawn a walk two batters earlier. DeJesus was waved home by Viking coach Vicky Piatt as she rounded third and the freshman speedster slid across the plate with room to spare, setting off a raucous celebration in the home dugout.
When play resumed, LeaAndra Ramirez singled, Alina Perez was plunked by Mustang pitcher Ariel Nava, and Jasmine Mixco walked to load the bases. Gabriella Diotalevi made it 3-0 when her full-count free pass brought home Ramirez.
Meanwhile, Nakano was shutting down the Mustangs (0-1). After surrendering a single to Delta's Caitlyn Campbell on the game's first pitch, Nakano didn't give up another hit until a leadoff single by Jaylee Marshall in the fourth. She struck out three straight Mustangs, all looking, to end the fourth and begin the fifth.
The West Valley defense backed Nakano with six fly ball put outs and an ESPN Top Ten-worthy line drive grab by a diving DeJesus at shortstop to open the third inning.
The Vikings put two more runs on the board in the third inning, highlighted by a Brianna Chambers Lee single and another from Ramirez. They added a pair in the fifth, thanks to RBI singles from Keithleen Gonzalez and Mixco.
WVC sent everyone home early an inning later. Larissa Higgins singled to open the bottom of the sixth and made it 8-0 when she cruised home after Simon ripped a triple down the first base line.
Chambers Lee finished 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, two stolen bases and a pair of runs scored. Ramirez was 2-for-2 before exiting in the fourth inning with a knee injury after making a stellar fly ball put out in left field.
West Valley returns to action Friday (2/9) against Santa Rosa Jr. College (2-0) and College of the Sequoias (4-0). First pitch against the Bear Cubs is 10:00am followed by the Vikings and the Giants at 2:00pm.
