San Lorenzo Valley’s softball team returned to the diamond Tuesday afternoon following a much-needed spring break this past week.
It took little to no time for senior Angie Fulkerson to shake off the rust as she batted 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and one stolen base in the Cougars’ 15-9 victory over Soquel in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action.
“I think we looked strong coming back from spring break, but [the rust] definitely showed a little bit,” Fulkerson said.
After taking an 8-1 lead, SLV freshman pitcher Bailey Filice gave up a three-run home run to Soquel’s Kate Silva in the bottom of the third inning. The Knights strung together five more runs in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the deficit at 12-9.
“Sometimes we do underestimate some of the teams, and throughout the season we’ve learned not to do that,” Fulkerson said. “If we ever underestimate a team, we often play down to their level and that’s when things start going downhill. If we make a mistake, just forget about it.”
Sophomore pitcher Grace Purtscher came in to relieve Filice, who allowed nine runs—seven earned—on eight hits and three walks while recording four strikeouts in 3-1/3 innings pitched.
Purtscher tossed 3-2/3 scoreless and hitless innings with 10 strikeouts. She also had three base hits, including one double, two RBIs and scored one run.
Freshman shortstop Elie Colby had three hits, including two doubles, a pair of RBIs and scored three runs for SLV. Teammate senior Abi Krepelka had a pair of hits, while junior Sophia Sarmiento had one triple and scored three runs.
SLV went through a tough stretch during its non-league portion of the schedule that included losses to formidable opponents in Carmel, Hilmar, Saratoga and Alvarez—the defending California Interscholastic Federation NorCal Division IV and Central Coast Section Division III champions.
But the Cougars—just one year removed from winning back-to-back SCCAL titles—had no trouble getting back on the winning track.
“Our confidence level is pretty good,” Fulkerson said. “We beat some teams we really wanted to beat, which is good. Our preseason teams were tough, but I think it was good to prepare us for these games, and once again, not overlook anybody.”
SLV began league play with three consecutive wins before falling to Santa Cruz, 7-6, on April 2. Then an anticipated game scheduled the following day at Scotts Valley was postponed because of poor field conditions due to the rain.
Fulkerson and the rest of the Cougars squad is looking to dethrone the defending league champion Falcons this season.
“Last year was tough, an eye-opener,” said Fulkerson, who won league titles with SLV as a freshman and sophomore. “That was good motivation for this year to stay on top, keep going, keep playing our hardest and forget about any losses or any mistakes. Just keep moving forward.”
SLV received a little help after Scotts Valley fell to Aptos, 8-4, in the teams’ SCCAL game Tuesday afternoon. Senior pitcher Sofie Seese allowed eight runs on five hits and one walk while tallying eight strikeouts in the loss for the Falcons.
Jazmyn Doubek had a pair of hits, one RBI and scored one run, while teammates Abby Howell, Gigi Gauthier and Seese each had one base hit for the Falcons.
Aptos sophomore Mya Najera-White allowed four runs on three hits while recording four strikeouts in the win for Aptos. Teammate senior Kailani Aguayo had a pair of hits, one RBI and scored three runs, while senior Lily McGee had two hits, including one double and a pair of RBIs.
With the loss, Scotts Valley dropped to 2-1 in league play, while Aptos improved to 3-2. SLV and Santa Cruz currently sit atop of the SCCAL standings with a 4-1 record.
“It feels very similar to last year because we’re a lot closer skillwise to the rest of the teams, and there are definitely closer games than when I was a freshman or sophomore,” Fulkerson said. “It’s definitely nerve-racking a little bit, but I like that it keeps us competitive.”
This year’s SLV team might not be as experienced as in years past, but don’t be quick to overlook them. Fulkerson leads the Cougars with two home runs and six doubles, and is tied for a team-best 13 RBIs alongside Purtscher, who is tied for second on the team with 15 hits. Teammate senior Cheyenne Owen has 12 hits, including one home run, a pair of triples and seven RBIs.
Krepelka, who is currently committed to attend and play softball next year in the spring at Beloit College in Wisconsin, has a 2-3 record with 14 strikeouts in the circle this season.
Colby and Filice have been great additions to the team, as well. Colby currently has a team-best 18 hits with four doubles and eight RBIs, while Filice has three doubles and seven RBIs this season.
SLV continued its quest for an SCCAL championship at Aptos on Thursday. Game results were not available prior to this publication’s deadline. Next up, the Cougars play at Harbor in league action April 22 at 4:30pm.
“Ultimate goal is to just each game play our hardest,” Fulkerson said. “Just playing together as a team is really important.”
