Softball is a team sport but junior Briana Vasquez practically beat Hamilton herself in Palisades’ 6-3 Western League victory last Thursday at Stadium by the Sea. Until she tired in the last two innings she was unhittable, posting 13 strikeouts and she did damage at the dish too, with a pair of hits, two runs batted in and a homer.
Despite a late start, limited practice time, no nonleague games and numerous cancellations due to rain the Dolphins have not shown rust, outscoring their first two opponents, 24-4. Kharlee Sanders, Maia Fuller, Stella Honda and Jaya Manigo all hit singles, Manigo added a double and Fuller had three runs batted in.
Honda stole two bases while Sanders and Manigo swiped one apiece. The Yankees dropped to 0-7 versus Palisades since sweeping the season series in 2019.
Palisades went 11-5 last spring, finishing third in league behind Venice and Fairfax, before falling 3-0 to South Gate in the first round of the City Division I playoffs. The Dolphins made the Division II title game in 2021, falling to Gardena.
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