The Piedmont High School softball team is settling into the new season, going 3-3 in its first six games. On March 27, the Highlanders hammered host Hayward, 18-0 in a game shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule.
Miya Fujimoto went the distance on the mound, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out 10. She also walked three times, scored three runs and stole two bases. Sa’mara Levi went 4-for-5 with four RBI with three runs scored and two doubles. Cyntiche Kouadio was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Edie Elmquist was 1-for-3 with two walks, three runs scored and an RBI.
Riley Norman took the loss for the Farmers, going three innings and allowing 12 runs (five earned) on five hits with 11 walks and eight strikeouts. Gianna Cruz had the hit for Hayward, a first inning double.
Piedmont scored in every inning, with six runs in the top of the first. Levi singled in the first run and doubled in a run in the second.
On March 25, the Highlanders lost 12-1 at Mt. Eden in a game shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule. Fujimoto went the full four innings, allowing nine earned runs on 10 hits with five walks and two strikeouts. Sophena Tuli went 2-for-2 and singled in Levi with Piedmont’s only run in the fourth. Elmquist also went 2-for-2.
Jasmine Cruz went 3-for-3 with four runs scored for the Monarchs. Ash Sim was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored as did Shelby Newcomb. Kealani Temoche went the distance allowing seven hits while striking out three and walking one.
On March 19, the Highlanders lost at home to Arroyo, 14-0 in a game shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule. Fujimoto went 2-for-2 and also went the distance on the mound, allowing three earned runs on 12 hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
Ariana Rocha went all five innings for the Dons, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out 12. Arroyo scored four in the first to take control of the game. Tati Rocha went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Aneesa Aguon, Ariana Rocha, Leilani Garcia and Hailey Howard also had two hits apiece.
On March 18, Piedmont won a wild 16-15 game in eight innings over visiting Mt. Diablo. The game was tied 13-13 at the end of seven. Starting with a runner on second, the Red Devils scored one run on a dropped third strike and scored a second on a ground out. An error got one run back for the Highlanders. Josephine Schuetz then singled in the tying run and Fujimoto singled in the game-winner.
Fujimoto went the distance on the mound again, allowing five earned runs on four hits. She struck out 14 and walked 11. Sophie Ramos went all the way for Mt. Diablo and was charged with eight earned runs on 12 hits with six walks and six strikeouts.
Piedmont trailed 13-8 entering the bottom of the sixth, but rallied for four runs in that inning. Hannah Joerger singled in Fujimoto for one run, then Eunice Kouadio singled in two. Cyntiche Kouadio then cut it to 13-12 with an RBI-single. In the seventh, an error on a Joerger ground ball brought home Elmquist for the tying run. Elmquist was 3-for-4 with four runs scored and two RBI. Fujimoto was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Joerger was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs. Eunice Kouadio and Schuetz each knocked in two.
Ashley Cornejo was 1-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI for the Red Devils. Ramos, Faith Sotelo and Dazzelynn Alon each had two RBI.
On March 11, the Highlanders beat host American, 8-3. Elmquist was 3-for-4 with a double and a triple and two RBI to go along with a run scored. Fujimoto was 2-for-2 with four walks, three runs scored and two RBI. She also threw a complete game, allowing three hits and two walks and striking out 10.
Dhwani Badala was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Eagles. Jaylynn Rice went the first 2 2/3 innings, taking the loss while allowing all three runs on three hits with five strike outs and six walks.
Piedmont opened the season with a 15-2 loss to visiting El Cerrito on March 8. Fujimoto went the first five on the mound, allowing nine runs (seven earned) on four hits with nine walks and seven strikeouts. Samantha Ronen pitched the final two innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on three hits and four walks with one strikeout. Fujimoto also had the Highlanders only hit of the game. Joerger knocked in both runs on a ground out.
Courtney Miles went 5 1/3 innings for the Gauchos, getting the win and allowing two runs with 11 strikeouts and seven walks. Mia Martinez-Rojas went 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI. Arlie Tatum was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.
Piedmont is 2-1 in West Alameda County Conference play. The Highlanders are next scheduled to host Berean Christian on April 1 at 4 p.m.