SFT: Royals’ offense erupts in a pair of wins

Seven players got hits, and San Marcos held on to beat Santa Paula, 8-7, in a non-league softball game on Saturday at the Santa Ynez tournament.

Hailee Rios and Aliyah Huerta-Leipner each hit home runs for the Royals, and Huerta-Leipner picked up her second pitching win. Rios notched the save, striking out four strikeouts.

“This was a tremendous team win with seven players getting hits, and a different seven scoring runs,” coach Jeff Swann said. “Defensively, every player contributed against a very good hitting Santa Paula team that challenged us with some small ball and some very aggressive hitting.”

Rios, Huerta-Leipner and Sienna Berlinger each had two hits, and Berlinger scored two runs.

In the Royals’ second game, Rios pitched a six-inning, one-hit 7-0 shutout over Pioneer Valley. She struck out 14 and didn’t walk a batter. At the plate, she went 2 for 4 with a homer, double and two RBIs.

“This was an exceptional performance by Hailee Rios in the circle for us. She was in command for the whole game,” said coach Swann.

Hailey Fryklund had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs and scored twice. Huerta-Leipner, Sarah Douglas and Lauren Pitchford all had two hits, and Douglas drove in a run.

“I am especially proud of the way the entire team has continued to hit the ball, even in many 2-strike situations,” said Swann.

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