MidValleySports.Com

By Josh Lowden

(Duarte) – It is very rare that you come across a player so talented that you hold your breath every time they perform. It is even rarer for that player to be a freshman.

Crescenta Valley has that player: Hannah Cookson.

Cookson led all batters with two Homeruns and five RBIs to lead the Falcons to an 8-1 victory over the Temple City Rams Saturday afternoon in the Championship game of the Duarte Tournament.

“Her hitting in the third spot, that’s the name of her game,” said Falcons Head Coach Dan Berry.  “She always makes contact… Cookson hits the ball hard.”

Most of the damage came in the third and fourth innings.  Erin Ashby, who also had a solid day on the mound, opened up the third inning with a shot to center field for a double.  Up two batters later was Cookson, who already had hit a homerun in the first inning. Cookson connected on the first pitch and sent the ball flying over the left fielder to bring herself and Ashby in for a two run score.

Feeling the momentum, Sydney House batted next and hit the ball to center field and earning a triple.  Cecilia Martinez would bring House in for the score with a single.

In the fourth, Delany Gay hit a single after Brielle Walker advanced to first on an error. Ashby followed the single with a pop-out which allowed Walker and Gay to advance to third and second respectfully.

Jenny Pegg almost got out of a bad hole when the next batter grounded out.  However, to the fear of the players and the fans, Cookson was again up to bat.  This time she did her damage with a single, which allowed both Walker and Gay to score.

Desiree Ferraro also scored for the Falcons in the fifth inning when she was batted in by Ashby.

The Rams gave Ashby a scare in the first inning. After walking Megan Pultz and Ciara Schnyder, she then gave up a single to Pegg. With the bases loaded Ashby induced a ground out by Sami Ortega to go unscathed.

Sami Jakeway gave the Rams their only score, hitting a home run in the third inning.