The Lady Conchs split a pair of games against visiting John Carroll Catholic on March 9. Key West won the first game of the double header, and while the Conchs brought in 7 runs to John Carroll’s 2, just one bat would have been enough.
Key West pulled away in the first inning and hung onto the lead the entire game, powered by three home runs by center fielder Scarlet Niles. Chloe Gilday struck out 5 over 7 innings on defense while the Conchs racked up 9 hits, including 2 from Monica Bueno, a double from Alexa Condela and singles from Shylo Sanchez, Tavyn Gage and Nina Manresa on top of Niles’ 3 bombs.
In game two, pitcher Brianna Brener got the start, lasting 6 innings before Gilday came in for 1 inning of relief. The Conchs took an early lead again and held on until the fourth when it was all tied up at 3. John Carroll took advantage of a two-out rally in the sixth inning, scoring 3 runs. Key West put up 2 runs in their final at-bat, but could not quite pull off the comeback. Key West’s bats continued to be prolific with 7 hits. Niles homered again in game two with 1 of her 2 hits. Condela and Alexandra Rodriguez had 2 hits each and Vera Rodger claimed the remaining hit in the 6-5 loss.
Marathon played Carrollton on March 5 at home. The Cyclones pulled ahead in the first with a 1-0 lead, which Marathon tied up in the third inning. By inning 6, the Lady Fins were ahead by a run, but a seventh inning 5-run rally from Carrollton was too much for Marathon to overcome, handing them a 7-3 loss. Maeve Merryman registered three hits, including one double. Ryleigh Garcia doubled and Sara Robinson, Madelyn Thornton and Allison Garcia each singled in the loss.
Two nights later, it was a completely different ball game. Playing at LaSalle, the Fins racked up a total of 17 hits to dominate the Royal Lions in a four-inning 18-1 romp. Allison Garcia struck out 7 on the mound, then delivered 4 hits of her own, including a triple and a pair of doubles. Elena Eubank added her own pair of doubles plus a single for 3 hits. Ryleigh Garcia and Shynell McGuire had 2 hits apiece, as did Thornton, with 1 being a home run. Eli Roque, Daniela Gonzalez, Robinson and Merryman accounted for the other 4. The 5-1 Fins have two more games prior to spring break as they head into the final stretch prior to districts.
Coral Shores fell to 0-3 after a loss against Colonial Christian School on Mar. 7 in their home opener. The Patriots defeated the ’Canes 28-6.
