| St. Francis Breaks League Opener Open With 14-Run Third St. Francis blew the game open with a massive 14-run third inning and rolled past Seaside 16–2 in the teams’ league opener Wednesday in Watsonville. The Sharks showed extreme patience at the plate during the decisive inning, drawing multiple bases-loaded walks before delivering key hits. Valerie Ballesteros drove in two with a single, Talia Moakler added a two-run single, and Bella Vargas chipped in an RBI single as St. Francis sent a long parade of hitters to the plate. St. Francis had already taken a 2–0 lead in the first when Ballesteros walked and another run scored on a passed ball. The third inning surge quickly put the game out of reach. Ballesteros also earned the win in the circle, allowing just one hit and one unearned run over three innings while striking out six. Offensively, Moakler led the Sharks with two hits, while Lea Padilla, Vargas, Ballesteros, and Emily Orozco each drove in two runs. St. Francis’ disciplined approach produced 20 walks, with Sophia Madrigal drawing four of them. |