As the weather cooled and raindrops began to fall at Scotts Valley High School on Tuesday, March 19, three Falcon sports teams put the winning touches on Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League victories.
Softball
After a 13-0 five-inning perfect game thrown by Sarah Reyes on Friday, March 15, the Scotts Valley High School softball team was in for a stiffer test against rival San Lorenzo Valley.
The Falcons rallied back from a 1-0 deficit with five runs in the fifth inning to defeat SLV 5-1 on Tuesday, March 19.
“I think we really pulled together as a team,” said Reyes, who relieved Seryna Tapuloa and pitched the final three innings for the win. “We got a lot looser as the game went on.”
Tapuloa pitched four innings, allowing a run in the fourth inning.
“If the season keeps going like it’s going,” she said. “I think we have a good chance at winning league.”
The Cougars opened the scoring in the fourth when Erica Costella singled and advanced to third base before scoring on a wild pitch.
The Falcons responded in the bottom of the fifth, as raindrops began to fall.
Bailey Affolter singled and stole second, followed by walks to Michelle Ponos and Reyes to load the bases.
Sigrid Holtrop singled up the middle to drive in the first run, and was followed by a deep double into left center by Tapuloa that drove in Ponos and Reyes.
Hotrop scored on an error, and Tapuloa scored on a wild pitch before the inning ended.
Reyes closed the game with two uneventful innings to improve the Falcons to 2-0 in league play while SLV dropped to 1-2.
Falcons coach Matt Houseman was pleased with the win, but said his team’s attitude is more important than wins and losses.
“I stress to the girls, ‘Try your hardest and never give up,’” he said. “The winning and losing isn’t as important.”
Scotts Valley traveled to Santa Cruz after press time Thursday, March 21, while SLV hosted Aptos the same day.
Lacrosse
Led by four goals from Jake Rehnberg, the Falcons held on to a 10-7 win over visiting Harbor High School on Tuesday, March 19.
The team took a 7-4 lead into halftime and matched Harbor’s second-half onslaught as conditions turned chilly.
Joe Locke, Griffin Curtiss and Tyler Nicholson each scored twice for the Falcons, who improved to 2-0 in SCCAL play.
The team will travel to Aptos to play the Mariners at 7 p.m. Friday, March 22.
Baseball
The Scotts Valley varsity baseball team demolished visiting Pinewood School 19-2 on Tuesday, March 19.
Sean Verenkamp pitched four innings for the win and also went 4-for-5 at the plate to pace the Falcons. Garrett Johnston had two doubles and three RBIs, and Joe Gillette scored four times on two hits while driving in two.
The Falcons continue league play Friday, March 22, when they host rival San Lorenzo Valley at 4 p.m.
