Rams Overcome Grossmont 1–0 Behind Dominant Pitching and Timely Offense

Rams Overcome Grossmont 1–0 Behind Dominant Pitching and Timely Offense
Box Score
January 29, 2026
The Victor Valley College Softball team put together a complete, disciplined performance on Wednesday morning, securing a hard‑fought 1–0 victory over visiting Grossmont. From the opening pitch, the Rams controlled the game with shutdown pitching, steady defense, and the one clutch offensive push they needed to stay unbeaten at home.

Conan Spins a Three‑Hit Shutout

Rams ace Samantha Conan delivered one of the best outings of the young season, firing a 7.0‑inning, three‑hit shutout to anchor the victory. Conan struck out four, walked only three, and faced just 26 batters while allowing no runs. She consistently worked ahead in counts and generated a strong mix of fly‑ball and ground‑ball outs — 9 flyouts and 7 groundouts — to keep the Griffins off balance all game long.
Her command and composure in high‑leverage moments preserved the Rams' slim lead, especially in the later innings when Grossmont threatened to break through.

Merrill Sparks the Offense

The game's lone run came in the bottom of the third. Hope Merrill ignited the inning with one of the Rams' biggest swings of the day — a double, one of two extra‑base hits recorded by VVC. Merrill later came around to score, giving the Rams the 1–0 edge that held the rest of the way. She finished the day 1-for-2, scoring the game-winning run while also flashing her speed with a stolen base.

Whitman and Rodriguez Deliver Key Hits

Behind Merrill, the Rams chipped away with strong at‑bats throughout the lineup:
  • Jade Whitman turned in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 with a double of her own, adding a needed spark in the middle of the order.
  • Jadielyn Rodriguez contributed an important 1-for-2 effort to help set the table offensively. 
Though the Rams totaled only four hits, each proved meaningful in a tightly contested battle.

Disciplined at the Plate

Victor Valley showed patience throughout the game, drawing seven walks — a testament to their ability to stay within the strike zone and force the Grossmont pitcher into deep counts. Julianna Chavez showcased exceptional discipline, reaching base three times on walks. This steady approach helped VVC generate baserunners even when balls weren't finding grass.

Defense Seals the Win

The Rams backed their pitcher with a clean defensive effort, committing zero errors and logging 21 putouts and 7 assists as a unit.
  • Lola Sartoresi anchored first base with 8 putouts,
  • Jade Whitman controlled the game from behind the plate with 5 putouts,
  • Merrill and Chavez combined for 4 assists in the middle infield.Their poise on routine and high‑pressure plays alike ensured the Rams' one‑run advantage stood firm.

A Statement Victory

While early in the season, Wednesday's win showed the Rams' growing identity: dominant pitching, gritty at‑bats, and airtight defense. VVC executed in key moments, proving they can win tight, low‑scoring games against disciplined opponents.
The Rams will look to build on this momentum as they continue their homestand.
 

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