DHS softball takes second in home event

The Davis High girls softball team showed its versatility over the weekend, winning games in different ways on its way to a second-place finish at its own tournament.

On Friday, the Blue Devils opened with a 2-1 victory over Rio Linda, then crushed McClatchy 13-0 later that day. DHS then needed extra innings to get past River City and set up a championship game meeting with powerful Christian Brothers.

That’s when the successful run came to a halt as Stanford-bound pitcher Haley Schneider shut down the Devils, 7-0.

The local pitching shined throughout the weekend, beginning with Sarah Allen-Sutter’s complete-game five-hitter in the opening contest.

Allen-Sutter needed just 67 pitches to handle Rio Linda, striking out one and holding the Knights scoreless until they scratched one across in the fifth. The Davis hurler was backed by a strong defense, highlighted by third baseman Maddie Asta’s sterling performance.

Meanwhile, the Blue Devil offense got started early when Kaitlyn Lagattuta homered in the first inning. She later doubled and scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth, finishing with two of DHS’ five hits.

The next two victories featured outstanding circle performances from Madi Benner, most notably a one-hitter in the blowout victory over McClatchy. Benner was perfect through four innings, pitching well and getting help from a dazzling Devil defense.

At the plate, Davis again came out banging with four runs in the first inning. It was in that frame that Asta’s sacrifice fly began her own personal offensive onslaught. Asta added a double in the third inning, a home run in the fourth — as part of the Blue Devils’ six-run explosion — and a triple in the fifth to finish with five RBIs.

In addition to Asta, Ashley Dufresne knocked in a pair of runs, while Madi Yule and Catherine Slabaugh had one RBI apiece.

Saturday morning found the locals in a wild extra-inning affair. After falling behind early, DHS went ahead 9-4, only to blow the lead with five errors in the fifth inning. Eventually, a four-run outburst gave the Devils a victory over River City.

Dufresne and Benner were the stars of that one as Dufresne launched a pair of homers and finished with five RBIs, while Benner came on in the second inning and threw 5 2/3 clutch frames. She gave up just one earned run and picked up the victory to send the Davis into the championship game.

The Blue Devils are back on the diamond Wednesday when they host Yuba City at 3:30 p.m.