Warren withstands Downey rally

DOWNEY - The Warren High School softball team defeated cross-town rival Downey 9-8 on Tuesday in the league opener for both teams.Warren currently has an overall record of 8-6 and are 1-0 in league play. Warren is ranked fifth in the latest Long Beach Press Telegram weekly poll. Downey currently has an overall record of 9-6 and are 0-1 in league play. Downey is ranked sixth in the latest Long Beach Press-Telegram weekly poll. The Downey-Warren softball game was tied 0-0 after the first inning. Warren took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning and Downey did not score in the bottom of the second inning. Warren added two runs in the third inning and led 3-0 at the end of three innings. Neither team scored in the fourth inning and the score remained 3-0 Warren. Warren scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning and Downey answered back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Warren led 5-3 after five innings of play. Warren appeared to break the game open in the top of the sixth inning after scoring four runs. The score going into the bottom of the sixth inning was 9-3 Warren. Downey came to life in the bottom of the sixth inning and scored four runs to bring the score to 9-7 Warren. Downey held Warren scoreless in the top of the seventh inning and took their last at-bat down two runs. Downey managed to get one run across in the bottom of the seventh inning but fell a run short. Warren held on for the 9-8 win. Both Warren and Downey have busy schedules ahead. Warren will host Dominguez at Warren on 4/11, travel to Lynwood and play the Lady Knights on 4/16, travel to Paramount and play the Lady Pirates on 4/18 and will then play in the La Mirada Showtime Tournament on 4/20. Downey will travel to Gahr and play the Lady Gladiators on 4/11, travel to Paramount and play the Lady Pirates on 4/16 and will then play Sonora in the Downey Softball Classic on 4/20. Things are certainly heating up as San Gabriel Valley League play rolls on.

********** Published: April 11, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 52