Blair softball shuts down Walter Johnson Wildcats

The Blazers started the game quickly against the Walter Johnson Wildcats and never let up. Strong batting and a no-hitter by senior pitcher Karylena Cruz held the Blazers coast their way to a resounding 19-0 victory.

Cruz started the game intensely with two strikeouts and an easy out to start the Blazers off right and put them on the offense. After the teams switched places going into the bottom of the first, the Blazers started with a base hit by freshman Cassia Williams-Rogers to set up Cruz. The pitcher made a deep hit to the left outfield, and both runners were able to get home because of an error by a Wildcat outfielder. After the first two batters in the rotation, the Blazers jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

The home run by Cruz started a hitting frenzy by the Blazers, with hits by senior Reva Kreeger and junior Allison Mackenzie would lead to runs and extend their lead to four. The Blazers wouldn't let up and with great contributions by every hitter were able to go up 9-0 and didn't stop there. Up to bat again, Cruz hit another home run, this one out of the park, again bringing herself and Williams-Rogers home. "I didn't want to show it on the field but that was really fun and I'm really proud of myself," said Cruz. The Blazers rolled through the first inning, ending it up 16-0.

Cruz completely controlled the defensive side of the game for Blazers, throwing strike after strike. In the second inning she struck out the first three Wildcat players at bat to put the Blazers back on offense, where they would score three more runs and go up 19-0.

According to Cruz, she never lost focus even though Blair led by a large margin the whole game. "I think I did a really good job hitting my spots well and making sure I stayed intense the whole game and focused," said Cruz. Cruz's dominance pitching helped the Blazers to a win but she couldn't do it alone. According to Cruz her teammates helped her through the game. "My team supported me in a way that's like, I can't be the only one that's intense, softball is a team sport so they were out there getting hits too, making sure that if the ball was hit we got an out."

The Blazers kept up the intensity throughout the game and due to Cruz's pitching and the intensity of the team's hitting the Blazers were able to mercy rule the Wildcats with a score of 19-0.