Rio Vista Varsity Rams Erupt for Win Over Highlands in High-Scoring Thriller

Caleigh Bloesch was the offensive catalyst once again, driving in four runs on two hits to lead the Rio Vista Varsity Rams to a 21-11 victory over Highlands on Thursday. Bloesch opened the scoring with a first-inning single that plated one run, then delivered the big blow of the game — an inside-the-park home run in the third inning that scored three.

Both teams swung the bats well in the high-scoring affair, with Highlands actually out-hitting Rio Vista 14-9. The Rams more than made up for it, however, drawing nine walks and swiping nine stolen bases to fuel their relentless offense.

Rio Vista wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first. A dropped third strike got things going, then Addison McKellar doubled home two runs and Bloesch followed with her run-scoring single to put the Rams up 4-0 before Highlands could bat.

Rio Vista tacked on another run in the second when Samiah Holley grounded out to make it 5-1, and Bloesch's three-run inside-the-park homer in the third pushed the lead to 8-1.

The Rams then erupted for seven runs on three hits in the top of the fourth. Makyla Mandujano doubled in a run, Lauren Bledsoe drew a walk to score one, McKellar singled home another, Jalen Medders followed with an RBI single, Norah Jelly walked to plate a run, Aaliyah Kittlings lined out for a run, and a wild pitch capped the outburst.

Highlands responded in the bottom of the fourth with five runs on six hits, getting on the board via a single from #13, a two-run single by Nevaeh Wixson, and a two-run single by Sheyanne Baker to cut the deficit to 15-6.

Rio Vista put the game away in the top of the fifth, scoring six more runs on two hits. Mandujano singled in a run, Stella Lunsford was hit by a pitch to drive in another, an error allowed three runs to score, and a wild pitch brought home one more to round out the 21-11 final.

Camryn Perkins earned the win in the circle, going five innings and surrendering 14 hits and 11 runs — 10 earned — while striking out nine and walking three. Sakura Goffney took the loss for Highlands, allowing all 21 runs (11 earned) on nine hits over five innings, with nine strikeouts and nine walks.

McKellar, Bloesch, and Mandujano each went 2-for-the-day to pace Rio Vista at the plate. Bloesch and Taylor Bledsoe each drew two walks to lead the team, and Mandujano led the base-stealing charge with three swipes as the Rams accumulated nine stolen bases overall.

Wixson was the offensive standout for Highlands, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs out of the eight-hole. Hanalei Miller also collected three hits, while Melody Flores and Goffney each added multiple hits for the Falcons.