Late surge helps Camarillo down RMHS
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers DEAN DANDY AGAIN- Camarillo senior pitcher Lindsey Dean delivers a strike Wednesday vs. Rio Mesa. Dean's ERA is .396.

Spring break did little to slow the Camarillo High softball team.

In their first game since returning from a week's vacation, the Scorpions had no trouble getting past rival Rio Mesa Wednesday afternoon at home.

ACHS beat Rio Mesa 4-0 for its eighth straight win. Camarillo's overall record now stands at 16-1. They are 4-0 in the Pacific View League. During its winning streak, ACHS has outscored the opposition 58-7.

"We were playing pretty good before the break," Camarillo head coach Jack Willard said. "It was nice for the kids to have a vacation and get some time off, but with the roll we were on before the break I just wanted to have us keep on playing."

As usual, the Scorpions pitching was solid with junior Hannah Klein and senior Lindsey Dean combining for a two-hit shutout. Klein struck out six batters in four innings, while Dean struck out four in three innings.

"Our pitching has always been good the last couple years, and today was no exception," Willard said. "Lindsey has been fantastic for four years, and Hannah has been great this year and last year."

The game remained a pitching duel until the bottom of the fourth when Camarillo finally got a run off Spartan left-hander Rachel Rillo.

Camarillo senior Lindsey Pierce chopped a single between Rillo and third base for the Scorpions' first hit to lead off the inning. After a passed ball, Pierce went to second. Junior Delaney Willard drove her home for the game's first run when she singled to left.

Camarillo added some insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a throwing error by Spartan shortstop Ashlee Coronado that sent freshman Jennifer Manuel home from second base to make the score 2-0.

Moments later, Pierce connected for her second hit of the game to drive in freshman Lindsey Helland to put ACHS up 3-0.

"I was just trying to make contact when I came to the plate and find a way to get on base," Pierce said.

Willard was impressed with his leadoff hitter after the win.

"Lindsey is basically our offensive spark plug," Willard said. "If she is on base we are going to do great things because the people batting behind her are doing a good job of driving her in lately."

Camarillo added another run in the sixth to take a four-run lead. When Dean struck out Spartan senior Danielle Duran, ACHS had another win.

The Scorpions continue their quest for an undefeated league season today when they host Pacifica. Game time set for 3:15 p.m.