Crutcher powers Golden Valley softball past Downey

Shyan Crutcher has started the softball season on fire.

The Golden Valley High School star hit two home runs and pitched a complete game to propel the Cougars to a 9-1 win over Downey at Joe Herb Park on Monday afternoon.

Crutcher is 5 for 5 in Golden Valley’s first two games with a double, triple, two home runs and six RBIs.

“I’ve gone to bat for her the last two years, putting her up for MVP, but our team hasn’t done well enough for her to win,” Golden Valley coach Ross Cruickshanks said. “She has been the Offensive Player of the Year the last two years, and she’s on her way to doing that again if she gets pitched to.”

Crutcher’s two-run homer in the first inning came on a 3-1 pitch. She had the green light on a 3-0 pitch in the third inning and connected on a solo shot.

Siyra Munoz had three hits and Sky Cyr drove in two runs for the Cougars (2-0).

Merced 9, Oakdale 3 in Merced – Maddy Nickles followed up her season-opening no-hitter against Los Banos with a one-hitter against the Mustangs. Nickles struck out 12 and had two hits and two RBIs. Megan Kravec had two hits and drove in five runs for the Bears.

El Capitan 11, Riverbank 1 in Riverbank – Cassie Gasper struck out 10 and drove in two runs as the Gauchos improved to 2-0. McKenzie Schmacher had three hits and scored two runs and Marcelina Mariano had two hits, two RBIs and scored three runs for El Capitan.

Hughson 8, Buhach Colony 2 in Atwater – The Huskies blew open the game with five runs in the seventh inning. Kaelee Lynch and Paytin Mercado hit back-to-back doubles in the seventh to drive in the Thunder’s runs.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 9:19 PM with the headline "Crutcher powers Golden Valley softball past Downey."