Alemany Bounces Harvard

SYLMAR — Alemany High kept the ball on the ground and Harvard-Westlake under its thumb with an 8-1 Mission League softball victory Wednesday at Sylmar Independent Baseball League Park.

As gusty winds swept across the field throughout the game, the Indians kicked up dust with their bats--especially during a four-run fourth inning that featured five ground-ball singles.

The victory moved Alemany (13-3, 3-0 in league play) a step closer to a seventh consecutive league title. It also kept the Wolverines (14-2, 1-2)--off to their best start in school history--weathering a dust bowl of sorts.

Harvard-Westlake has not defeated Alemany since entering the Mission League seven years ago, or during the 11-year tenure of Coach Terry Elledge.

“It is frustrating,” Elledge said. “We usually play a better ball game than that.”

Alemany collected eight hits off right-hander Anna Russell (13-2), including doubles by Elena Lira and Kim Diener to highlight a two-run sixth.

However, the fourth inning--during which Lira, Regina Yuhaze and Meghan Reiss had run-scoring singles, and Diener added a sacrifice fly--typified the Indians’ attack.

The rally extended Alemany’s lead to 6-1. The Indians scored two runs in the first, which featured a sacrifice fly by Annette Ramirez.

Lira finished with three hits and Yuhaze had two.

“This is the hardest we’ve hit the ball since we’ve been back from spring break,” Alemany Coach Dudley Rooney said.

Diener and teammates chanted from the dugout, calling for hard-hit balls on the ground. That might have contributed to the Wolverines committing three errors on ground balls.

Such was the team’s strategy.

“Hit the ball on the ground, make them bend down,” Diener said.

Diener (12-3) pitched a five-hitter, striking out six and walking none. Harvard-Westlake scored in the first on a single by Sandra Aken and a triple by Jenny Bruno.

Diener retired seven batters in a row from the fourth through sixth.

“She’s done real well,” Rooney said of Diener. “This is her third year [on varsity], so she’s been around. Her location has always been her strong suit.”