Paloma Valley Softball Team Gets Off to a Strong Start

The Paloma Valley High School softball team opened the season on a positive note last week, winning three games in the Stu Penter Classic tournament in Corona.

The Wildcats are 3-2 as they prepare for the Diamond Valley Tournament in Hemet, where they play Rancho Verde Monday at 3 p.m.

In the tournament opener against Rancho Verde March 4, Paloma Valley scored a 10-3 victory behind Kailee Smith, who pitched a strong four innings with six strikeouts. Karynne Johnson pitched the last two innings and struck out four. Kiana Broderson Jones went 2 for 4 with 2 steals, Caila Lopez homered, Alexis Beckham was 23 for 3 with 2 triples and Smith went 2 for 3 with a triple.

Errors plagued the Wildcats in a 10-2 loss to Yucaipa later that day. Karynne Johnston had 10 strikeouts and five innings. Faith Schreiber had a double.

Smith came back with nine strong innings pitched March 6 against King, but Paloma lost a 1-0 decision. The same day, the Wildcats beat Kaiser 6-3 with Johnston getting the win and Smith the save.

On March 7, Paloma Valley beat Heritage, 4-3. Smith earned the win and Johnston received the save. Holly Oyhenart went 3 for 4, Beckham had a triple, and Abigail Callais also had a triple.