Vikings Out Pitch Cougars

The santa monica high school Girls Softball team, defeated the Ventura Cougars, 3-1, in the Division IV CIF-SS championship on Saturday, May 31, giving Samohi its second team championship since 2009.

Samohi's last CIF trophy, came in 2010 over the North Torrance Saxons, 11-3.

Junior pitcher Whitney Jones struck out three Ventura Cougars, while senior first baseman Francesca Golick served 2 Runs Batted In. Senior infielder Marina Coffin had one RBI for Ventura.

Senior Sara Garcia opened the game by hitting a triple play into right field, allowing freshman second baseman Jasmine Gomez to score Samohi's first run.

With Garcia on third, Golick connected on a Ventura fastball to RBI Garcia to make the first inning 2-0.

The Cougars scored their only point in the top of the third inning off an RBI by Coffin. However, Golick responded at the bottom of the inning with her second RBI of the game with the bases loaded.

The Lady Vikings kept the Cougars from scoring for the balance of the game. With two outs in the top of the fourth inning, junior infielder Amanda Gilchrist launched a double into deep right center field. But Samohi took a ground ball by Ventura's next batter and was able to retire the side.

"There are plays that, if they don't make, it could get us into a lot of trouble, into a mess," Jones said about her team's defense.

"It definitely takes down the other team and pumps up our mentality, which is just great. I can't ask for a better defense. They really helped us."

Skaggs said the team's defense depends on Jones' pitching. "We're known to be a pretty solid defensive club, and that's what we lean on because our pitcher doesn't strike out a lot of batters," she said.