Softball Wins First Western State Conference Over Glendale

VALLEY GLEN - Monarchs Softball beat Glendale on Monday, 3-1, in a make-up Western State Conference game.

In a game that was originally scheduled for February, the Monarchs came out hot to start the game.  Briana Gaskill (pictured hitting) ripped a double off the left field fence and promptly stole third, putting her in a prime position to score with just one out in the inning.  Violeta Espinoza, who was 2-3 in the game, hit a clean single into center field to score Gaskill, putting the Monarchs up 1-0 in the bottom of the first.

After one out in the fifth, Gaskill came up and hit a bomb of a home run to left field.  Gaskill was 2-3 in the game with the double, home run, 1 run batted in and two of the Monarchs three runs scored.  In similar fashion to Gaskill's first inning heroics, Espinoza hit a double, stole third and scored on a Lexus Freire rocket to right field.  That would be all the runs the Monarchs would need to beat the Vaqueros 3-1.

Pitcher Jessica Lopez (pictured pitching) had an outstanding game in the circle giving up her one run in the top of the seventh inning.  Lopez gave up just five hits over the seven innings and struck out four batters.  Her defense was solid and backed up her pitching.

Monarch Softball will continue their home stand on Thursday, March 16, when they take on Canyons at 2:30 p.m.