The defending state champion Ray softball team extended its season-long winning streak to nine games, defeating three teams last week that have their own state title aspirations.
In addition to a 10 – 0 won against 12th-ranked Valley Union last Friday, the Lady Cats also defeated rival and third-ranked Superior as well as San Manuel, the No. 6 team in the 2A rankings, last Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Janae Ruiz homered and Tara Lorona went 2-for-4, including a triple, with three RBI to lead the Lady Cats to a 12 – 2 win over Superior. Five Lady Cats had two hits in the game, including Ruiz, Lorona. Ema Alverado, Daniella Hinojos, and Haily Mabuce, who drove in a game-high four runs.
Hinojos was stellar in the circle, as usual. The Lady Cats’ ace allowed two runs – both unearned – on three hits in six innings of work. She whiffed eight Lady Panthers’ hitters and walked two. The win was the sophomore’s 15th of the season.