The Bonita Vista High School softball team remained undefeated after defeating Ramona, 4-0, in a Falcon-Fiesta tournament game on Tuesday (April 5), improving to 17-0 in the process.
The Barons are more than halfway through their 2011 spring schedule — and thus, it appears more than halfway to perfection.
The Falcon-Fiesta tournament finals are Saturday, with only a victory Thursday (April 7) against Rancho Buena Vista standing in the way of head coach John Carlson’s team.
Bonita Vista wrapped up its second tournament title last Saturday (April 2) with a 3-0 showing at Olympian High School to close out play in the 28th Hilltop tournament. The Barons’ single-day test of endurance included victories against Mesa League rival Eastlake (13-9 in the quarterfinals), Scripps Ranch (11-1 in the semifinals) and El Capitan (6-2 in the championship game).
When asked to supply a name for the all-tournament team’s most valuable player award, Carlson said simply: “Give it to the team.”
Few likely complained.
Ruby Elliott and Jennifer Hartman both earned recognition on the all-tournament team for Bonita Vista, which had out-scored opponents 162-23 entering Thursday’s scheduled game against the Longhorns.
Elliott drove in two runs in the championship game while Celinna Cosio also had two RBI and Kayla Jordan and Chelsy Ramirez each drove in one run. Elliott smashed a home run while Jordan cracked a triple.
Hartman walked seven batters but allowed only one earned run, striking out two batters. It was her second pitching win on the day after hurling the Barons past Scripps Ranch in the semifinals. She allowed five hits and one earned run to the Falcons.
Alex Vargas swung the big stick against Scripps Ranch with a home run and four RBI. Elliott and Cosio both knocked in a pair of runs.
Bonita Vista had the most trouble in its first game on the day after Eastlake tied the game at eight runs apiece in the top of the fifth inning. But the Barons rode the arms of three hurlers to victory, with Vargas earning the win in relief despite allowing eight runs.
Hannah Flippen and Hartman also saw action in the game. Cosio supplied the bulk of the offense with a home run and six RBI. Elliott and Jaycee Carlson each drove in two runs. Carlson also went yard in the game.
Could Bonita Vista conceivably win 30 games this season? It’s a possibility should the team continue its amazing start with yet another tourney title.
Simply put, people everywhere are starting to take notice.
Bonita Vista entered the week ranked No. 1 in the San Diego Section and 13th nationally by MaxPreps.
Also, Jordan was named this week’s ESPN RISE Cal-Hi Sports State Athlete of the Week. She becomes the inaugural winner for the 2011 spring semester.
Hartman is 11-0 this spring with a 0.74 ERA; Vargas is 6-0.
Extra bases
Hilltop advanced to the semifinals following its 7-0 win over Southwest El Centro but the Vaqueros ended the Lancers’ tourney run with a 3-0 victory.
“The tournament was very competitive this year,” HHS coach Nancy Acerrio said. “All teams enjoyed the experience. It is always a good thing to bring teams down to the South Bay for exposure to the community.”
28th Hilltop tournament
April 2 at Olympian High School
Quarterfinals
Bonita Vista 13, Eastlake 9
Hilltop 7, Southwest El Centro 0
El Capitan 2, Otay Ranch 0
Scripps Ranch 16, Brawley 0
Semifinals
Bonita Vista 11, Scripps Ranch 1
El Capitan 3, Hilltop 0
Championship Game
Bonita Vista 6, El Capitan 2
All-tournament team
Bonita Vista: Ruby Elliott, Jennifer Hartman
Hilltop: Monica Armas, Aida Martinez
Scripps Ranch: Maggie Sevilla, Nikki Wallstedt
El Capitan: Delanie Gourley, Cindy Gonzalez, Rachel Auchenbach
