SOFTBALL: Westmont Too Strong for Christopher

The Score: Westmont 5, Christopher 1

The Star: Locked in from the minute she stepped into the circle, Westmont junior starting pitcher Lujane Massadi oozed confidence during the Tuesday afternoon non-league matchup against the Christopher Cougars held at Westmont High in Campbell. Massadi pitched a complete game one-hitter, allowing zero earned runs while fanning three batters. At one point, Massadi retired nine straight, moving the ball précising across both sides of the plate.

Westmont Freshman Christine Kuhney went 2-for-4 with a single, including a key two-run double to add to the Warriors advantage. Westmont (17-3, 9-1 Mt. Hamilton) freshman Cassidy Brown contributed as well going 2-for-3 with two singles and a run scored against the Cougars.

Turning Point: Ahead 1-0 after the first, the Warriors showed why they sit in first place in the Mount Hamilton standings with a three-run outburst in the second inning. Westmont’s Brown hit the first of her two singles on the day towards center field to open the frame against Christopher’s junior pitcher Aly Olvera. With runners on first and second, Melissa Ortiz delivered an RBI single to right field to plate Brown. Westmont’s Kuhney kept the big inning rolling and blasted a two-run scoring double to center field to give the Warriors the 4-0 lead and loads of confidence to finish off the game.

The Cougars responded quickly scoring their only run in the top half of the third. Sophomore Kristen Dennis lined an RBI single to put the lone tally on the board for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough on this afternoon. Massadi quickly brushed the score off, retiring nine straight batters after that.

The Quotes: “We came out pretty pumped and ready—and even though it wasn’t a league game, we really just wanted to get this win and get ready for CCS,” said Westmont’s Massadi on today’s win over Christopher.

Westmont’s Massadi will pitch again on Thursday in a non league game against Archbishop Mitty.

“Good win and a good warm up for a big week against Mitty and Homestead,” said Westmont head coach Jon Henning on his team’s solid outing against the Cougars.

What’s Next? Westmont (17-3, 9-1 MHL) will be on the road Thursday as they face Archbishop Mitty, while Christopher (12-8-1, 5-3 MBL) goes back to league play as they host North Monterey County. in a tight 4 way race for the Monterey Bay league title.

Bottom Line: Westmont will get some more playoff seasoning against Mitty on Thursday and versus De Anza leaders Homestead on Saturday. Christopher currently sits in a tight four-way race for the Monterey Bay league title.

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Christopher- 0 0 1 0 0 0 0   -  1  1  3

Westmont-   1 3 1 0 0 0  -     5  9  1

WP: Massadi   LP: Olvera