After defeating Freedom earlier this month, the Antioch High softball team approached Tuesday’s matchup against league-leading Heritage brimming with confidence.

But while the Panthers are much improved from the beginning of the season, they discovered they still have room to grow. Thanks to scoring bursts in the first and sixth innings, the Patriots emerged with a 9-0 victory.

Heritage junior catcher Malia Rivers and junior first baseman Ali Ramirez each finished 3-for-3 at the plate. Junior Kenna Wright also rapped out three hits. In the circle, senior pitcher Lisa Rodrigues held Antioch (8-7, 2-1 BVAL) at bay, striking out 11 Panthers.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more today,” Patriots head coach Ron Rivers said. “Focus and energy – that’s our theme.”

Heritage (15-2, 3-0 Bay Valley Athletic League) made its presence felt in the first inning off RBI hits from Ramirez and Wright to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead. Heritage added one more in the third inning when Rivers dashed home on a passed ball.

The score advanced to 5-0 when Ramirez drove in Rivers in the fifth inning. The Patriots added the final four runs in the sixth off key hits by senior infielder Ashley Sweeney, freshman outfielder Madison Gonzales, Rivers and Ramirez.

Despite the run total, Antioch junior pitcher Shelbi Graifman enjoyed success against Heritage batters. She pitched a complete game, striking out eight Patriots.

Junior Krystine Ball and senior Morgan Perry led the Panthers offensively, both going 1-for-3.

Click here to view a photo gallery from this game.

Freedom 8, Liberty 0

Freedom junior pitcher Madison Williams scattered three hits in a complete-game shutout as the Falcons toppled rival Liberty 8-0 on Tuesday.

Williams struck out 12 Lions, walked one and helped her own cause by going 2-for-3 at the plate. Senior third baseman Brianna Simpson went 2-for-3, notching two runs, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Freshman infielder Marissa Gasca and junior infielder Lyvie Ilayan each went 2-for-3.

Freshman third baseman Kortney Jones finished 3-for-3 for the Lions.

Deer Valley 8, Pittsburg 2

Deer Valley scored early and often Tuesday, resulting in an 8-2 victory over Pittsburg. Junior infielder Maleia Namauleg led the Wolverines with a 3-for-3 effort. Freshman Brandi Williams and senior Davianna Burney each finished 2-for-3.

Dulce Galaviz earned the victory for Deer Valley, pitching 4.1 innings and striking out three Pirates.

BASEBALL

Liberty 2, Freedom 1

Liberty broke a tie in the seventh inning on Tuesday to claim a 2-1 victory over Freedom. Stevan Zaharias earned the W for the Lions, going the distance and fanning six Falcons.

Senior catcher Zach Finley finished 2-for-2, including a walk and an RBI; junior outfielder Jordan Graves contributed a 2-for-3 effort.

Freedom junior pitcher Miguel Carvajal struck out six in five innings but wound up with a no-decision.

Deer Valley 5, Pittsburg 0

Deer Valley scored five runs in the first inning of Tuesday’s game, cruising to a 5-0 victory over Pittsburg. Senior pitcher Jacob Peters earned his second win of the year, allowing just two hits. He struck out six and walked none.

Junior catcher Jordan Gough and junior outfielder Carlos Jauregui each finished 1-for-2 with an RBI. Senior catcher Cris Borromeo recorded one of Pittsburg’s two hits.

Heritage 7, Antioch 0

Heritage earned its first BVAL victory of the season in a 7-0 shutout over Antioch on Tuesday.

Patriots sophomore Steele Eich finished 3-for-4 and drove in a run. Junior Dallas Gebrosky went 2-for-4 with an RBI while junior Nick Perez batted 2-for-2.

Junior utility man Logan Crump and senior pitcher/outfielder Joe Chatham each contributed a 2-for-4 effort for the Panthers.

– Compiled by Justin Lafferty