Morgan's clout leads LM past Williams

Judging by her exuberance as she entered the dugout after hitting an inside-the-park home run, you could tell the moment was momentous for Los Molinos High's Katie Morgan.

Not only was it her first homer as a Lady Bulldog, but her first at any level, and it helped Los Molinos to a decisive 17-6 home win over Williams on Friday.

"I hit a home run, I hit a home run," Morgan hollered excitedly while being congratulated by her teammates.

Apparently it's true that you never forger your first one.

"My freshman year was the first year I played and I didn't know anything about softball, that's why I was so pumped up" said the junior corner infielder who will also be doing some pitching. "I saw that it was past (Williams centerfielder Catherine Jorge) and my coach was saying, 'Go, go, go!,' and when I got to third and she said to go I just kept on running."

Morgan added, "It felt really good, especially because last year I was not a very strong hitter. I think I had a double for my best hit."

Her home run was part of a 4-run 4th inning, and just one of 14 hits banged out by the Bulldogs.

"We've been practicing hitting a lot over the past couple years and everybody out here pretty much is a returner," said Los Molinos coach Val White.

The offensive explosion came as a surprise to Morgan, who said, "That's the best we've done since I've been playing. I think we just started strong and kept a real positive attitude all the time."

The visiting Yellowjackets took a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning on a single by Cassandra Lopez and Ashlin Covarrubias' run-scoring single. Los Molinos hurler Mariela Sanchez held Williams off the scoreboard until the 5th, when they reached her for five runs, with the big blow coming on a 3-run double off the bat of Elizabeth Mendez.

"She (Sanchez) did a great job. She got tired at the end, but she didn't play at all last season. She came out and said, 'Hey, I pitched in Little League, I'll pitch.'"

Morgan added a pair of singles for three hits on the day, joining teammate Crystal Sanchez, who singled three times and drove in a pair of runs.

Halley Ulrich stroked a pair of doubles and drove in two, and Tamara Ables singled twice. Sanchez singled and plated three runs, while Hanna Rogers pitched in with a single and 2 RBI.

Sanchez gave up four hits, struck out six and walked eight to earn the win.

Los Molinos (1-0) welcomes Chester to town on Thursday, and will be playing in the weekend's Cubs Classic Small Teams Tournament at Big League Dreams in Redding.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.