Pali High Softball Mercies Yankees in League Opener

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The Palisades High softball team sure picked the right time to pick up its first win of the season.

After three tough losses to start the year the Dolphins bounced back in a big way, routing Hamilton 11-1 in five innings Monday in their Western League opener at Stadium by the Sea.

First baseman Cienna Henry Milton set the tone in the first inning  with a three-run home run over the right field fence. Pitcher Jasmine Pelayo Nejar threw a five-hitter wih two strikeouts and Palisades was on its way to a much-needed victory.   

“I made great contact but I thought it might be a pop up,” said Henry Milton, who lives in South Los Angeles and played first base at Paul Revere Middle School. “We came into this game really hungry and we needed a statement like this. We learned a lot about each other and how to play together the first few games. It’s about knowing how to dust off mistakes.”

Palisades led 6-3 heading to the last inning of last Thursday’s game against Lincoln, but lost 9-7. On Saturday the Dolphins lost to Sylmar 6-1 in the Lincoln Classic. They resume league Monday against Fairfax.