Bearcats varsity softball rallies to beat Greyhounds in Sunset League opener
Submitted by head coach Andy MacDonald,
– The Paso Robles High School Bearcats and Atascadero High School Greyhounds varsity softball teams squared off Tuesday afternoon with bragging rights on the line in the Sunset League opening game. Paso was coming off a strong weekend performance where they were victorious over Nipomo (6-5) and San Luis Obispo 16-0) while tying 2024 State Division IV Semifinalist Eastside High School out of Lancaster, CA 7-7.
“We did not schedule lightly for our young team intentionally. We have taken an ‘iron sharpens iron’ approach to the season and feel like it is the only way to get our 7 freshmen and 5 sophomores ready for our upcoming league games,” said head coach Andy MacDonald, “Coming off the three, early season, tough losses we learned a lot about our athletes and they learned a lot about what we expect from them and how to attack the game in pressure moments.”
The pressure was high on Tuesday as Atascadero jumped out to an 8-1 early lead. By the bottom of the fourth inning, Paso Robles found their stride, energy, and swagger as they answered with 5 runs. Senior Kylee Nancolas started the rally with a towering triple and finished the game with 2 singles, a double, and a triple while scoring 3 times. Freshman Kallie Gatoloai had three singles while Kinnlie Tweten and Jocelyn Perez each collected two hits.
“Tweten came to work today in the pitching circle. She got ahead in counts and continued to pound the strike zone and mix in spin and off-speed,” said pitching coach Elise Foster. “We know that we will have to spin the ball and move the batters’ eyes in and out and up and down in the strike zone. It’s exciting to see the growth from our young pitching staff as they buy into our philosophy. Being led by senior, Kylee Nancolas, behind the plate gives us strong leadership for our young pitching staff.”
The Bearcats head to Templeton today in a battle of two Ocean League teams both coming off opening league wins. Templeton scratched their way past Pioneer Valley 1-0 on Tuesday. The action will start at 4:30 p.m. at Vineyard Field at Vineyard Elementary School.
