Yellowjackets show growth in loss to Carter High, 6-0

A challenging outing against league rivals is overshadowed by team’s improvement on defense

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Joe Ramirez

Close call. Zerena Acevedo runs out a ground ball in the fourth inning, almost beating the throw.

Colton, CA—After defeating Bloomington and San Gorgonio in their San Andreas League games, Colton faced their toughest opponent yet, Carter High School. Carter came into this match-up 1-0 in league and 8-8 overall.

Despite grinding for every out, and keeping up the fight, Colton dropped their first game against Carter, 6-0 in seven innings.

From the start, it was tough for the Yellowjackets. Starting pitcher Nalyn Hull, who has been lights out all season, struggled to find the strike zone, walking two batters in the first inning, and giving up a run. On the game, she gave up 13 hits to the Lions, including a two-run home run in the third inning, and three walks against one strikeout.

“Today was probably not my best,” Hull said. “It was just one of those days.”

It was definitely one of those days in the batter’s box. Colton only managed two hits against junior pitcher Shyanne Montero, who struck out three in the shutout. Jocelyn Alcala hit a ground rule double in the third inning, and Hull singled to center field in the fourth. 

On multiple occasions during the middle innings, the Yellowjackets threatened to put runners on base with timely hits, only to find their line drives nabbed out of the air by the long arms of Carter shortstop Katie Griego.

While the loss is disappointing, catcher Giuliana Danovaro was proud of the work her team put in against Carter. “From previous games, we instantly put our heads down after one error or something—we start going downhill. But we did not go downhill today.”

Manager Chris Reyes echoed that sentiment in his postgame comments. “They’re continuing to grow, continuing to get better, and they’ll be fine.”

The Yellowjackets travel to Arroyo Valley High School on Thursday for a conference game against the Hawks.