MURRIETA – In an electrifying Southwestern League matchup, the Murrieta Mesa Rams delivered a dominant performance against Murrieta Valley this past week. Lilly Hauser, the ace on the mound, effectively silenced the Nighthawks’ bats, racking up a spectacular 12 strikeouts in their 11-0 game one victory of the week. Hauser’s six innings of work were nothing short of remarkable, maintaining a zero-hit and zero-run game while issuing five walks.
On offense, Victoria Prado, an Iowa State softball commit, was a force to be reckoned with, driving in a total of four runs. Her arsenal for game one included a monumental home run to center field in the fourth inning, bringing two runners home, and a crucial single in the first. As well as a sacrifice fly in the third.
The Rams began their scoring spree early with Paige Bambarger, a future Oregon State Beaver, singling to notch the first run. Kenzie Farrier and Madi Lardizabal added some zest to the already high-energy game, with Lardizabal’s blow in the sixth inning – a three-run homer to right field – punctuating the Rams’ offensive showcase. In total, Murrieta Mesa amassed an impressive 12 hits, with Prado, Bambarger, Danica Hobbs, and Lardizabal each bagging a pair of hits, contributing to the commanding win.
The power display continued as the Rams maintained their momentum into their next game. Savannah Demary and Hauser combined forces for another shutout, matching the 11-0 score against the Nighthawks from Tuesday. Amidst this powerful ensemble, Madi Lardizabal stood out once again, her three-run blast leading the Rams in RBIs. Maddie Boehm and Taelyn Holley also left their mark with monumental home runs, rounding up the Rams’ remarkable hitting performance.
Looking at the broader spectrum of the league, Great Oak trails slightly behind in second place at 5-1, while Vista Murrieta keeps pace at third with their 4-1 record. Chaparral sits at 3-6, meanwhile Murrieta Valley (2-6) and Temecula Valley (0-9) are currently working on mobilizing their game play to change the dynamics of the league standings as the season progresses.
After spring break, the Southwestern League teams anticipate reigniting their fierce competition on April 9, where every game becomes more and more crucial for postseason play. The Murrieta Mesa Rams, with their sights set on maintaining their untarnished league record, continue to prove they are a force to be reckoned with on the diamond.
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