Aggressive Rancho pads Sunrise lead with shutout of Liberty

Minutes before the first pitch, Rancho softball coach Amanda Zunno reminded her team of one of its goals against Liberty.

“We need to jump on them early,” Zunno said.

Her Rams listened.

Rancho took advantage of seven errors in the first three innings to build a 9-0 lead and went on to a 10-0, six-inning win over the visiting Patriots in a Division I Sunrise League game Thursday.

“If we come out swinging from the get-go, it gives our girls confidence, but it also puts pressure on (the defense),” Zunno said. “If we hit the ball, it puts pressure on them to make plays.

“If we can jump on them right away and put some runs up on the board, it makes our pitching and defense better. They have more leeway.”

The Rams (19-6, 14-0 Sunrise) benefited from two throwing errors, two hits and a walk to score three runs in the first inning.

That was more than enough for junior pitcher Sam Pochop, who threw a three-hitter and struck out 11.

Pochop walked two in the first inning, but struck out three in the second and started an inning-ending 1-6-3 double play in the third. Liberty (13-8, 10-5) hit only three balls out of the infield.

“Sam mentally gets ready herself, and she knows how she wants to pitch each game,” Zunno said. “She knows if we want to come out firing hard right away or if we want to start a little more slowly and keep progressing.”

Gianna Carosone hit a two-run triple and continued home on an error to spark a four-run second inning that removed any doubt.

Jahnae Davis-Houston and Yvette Sanchez each went 3-for-4 and scored two runs for Rancho, which ended the game on Sanchez’s two-out single that plated Tiare Lee in the sixth.

Rancho, which advanced to the state tournament last year, inched closer to its first league title in more than two decades. The Rams have a two-game lead in the loss column over Coronado (13-2). Rancho has six league games remaining, and Coronado has five. Every other team has at least four losses in the league.

“We are looking at the future, because we know that those games are going to come, but we take it day by day,” Zunno said. “We just want to continue to grow as a family and represent Rancho in a positive manner. With every win that gets us closer to a championship, we’re getting more support from current students and alumni.”

McKenna Hefley was 1-for-2 with a double for Liberty.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.