Lady Dragons late comeback denied by Analy

Though it was only their Sonoma County League season opener, the stakes already seemed on the higher side for the Sonoma Valley High School varsity softball girls because they faced a longtime SCL rival they’ll be battling neck-and-neck behind favored defending champion Petaluma.

Last Thursday at the high school field, the Lady Dragons were facing a 5-1 deficit to league foe Analy entering the bottom of the sixth inning. They rallied for three runs, but fell shy by one run in the end, dropping a heartbreaking 5-4 decision.

Pacing Sonoma were sophomore Bella Fanucchi’s two-for three, including a double, two RBIs and a run scored; freshman Jenna Ebert’s two-for-four with an RBI and run; senior Hannah Herrick’s two-for-four – she also took the pitching loss; sophomore Malena Mackey’s one-for-two with a run; senior Shawny McVeigh’s one-for-three with a run; and sophomore Isabel Hernandez’s one-for-two.

Rounding out Sonoma’s varsity girls’ softball team – directed by head coach Dean Merrill and assistant coach Michael Hall – are senior Nicole Reed; sophomores Erin Atkinson, Beverly Harris, Veronica Love, Malena Mackey, Maddie Lentini, Lena Mallet, Hayden Pearce, Yolaisy Prieto and Kasey Richards; and freshman Molly Brown.

The Lady Dragons travel to Santa Rosa today to face league foe Elsie Allen before hosting Piner in a 4 p.m. SCL clash Thursday, April 9, at the high school field.