It’s true this season that Bonita Vista softball pitcher Jennifer Hartman has taken her share of lumps. The defending Mesa League champion Barons failed to advance past the quarterfinals of this year’s Hilltop Invitational, losing an eight-inning battle against eventual tourney champion Steele Canyon. Then there were losses against such highly regarded teams as El Capitan, Valhalla, Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch.
But Hartman remains a gem in the South Bay, as evidenced by Tuesday’s one-hitter against visiting Otay Ranch in league play to hand the hosts their 10th straight win. She struck out 11 batters en route to improving her season record to 12-5. It was her 13th complete game of the season and eighth shutout.
Hartman has become the iron woman of the BV pitching staff this season. She has started 18 of the Barons’ games, with decisions in 17 match-ups. Savannah Eckhardt is 1-0 with two saves.
Hartman has struck out 150 batters, an average of 8.3 per game, while issuing 25 walks and yielding 65 hits. She owns a sparkling 0.77 earned-run average.
As dominating as she has been in the pitching circle, she has received the continued support from teammates both at the plate and in the field to position ninth-ranked Bonita Vista for another league championship run.
Celinna Cosio scored two runs and drove in two runs while Andrea Lara and Ruby Elliot each were credited with one RBI for the victors. Cosio, Elliot and Chelsy Ramirez each rocked doubles off Mustang pitcher Adrianna Puente. Jaycee Carlson and Anissa Pinedo each scored once.
Hannah Flippin leads the Barons with a .364 hitting average, followed by Pinedo (.316) and Elliott (.304). Cosio leads the team with 10 RBI.
The Barons improved to 4-0 in league play, 13-5-1 overall after Tuesday’s victory against the Mustangs, who fell to 1-2 in league play, 9-11 overall.
Bonita Vista maintained its one game lead in the Mesa League standings over the Hilltop Lancers, who topped host Eastlake, 10-3, on Tuesday behind Nikki Furuya’s three RBI.
Hilltop entered Thursday’s scheduled game against visiting Eastlake 4-1 in league, 18-5 overall.
The Barons and Lancers are scheduled to meet in the final two league games of the season May 17 and 19.
