Kharime Caratachea’s streaks of retired batters and shutout innings ended on Friday, but she and Ripon officially continued their reign over the Trans-Valley League.
The Indians took care of second-place Livingston 6-1 to clinch at least a piece of the title with three league games still remaining.
They’ve now claimed four straight TVL championships going back to 2019 — the 2020 and 21 seasons were cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic — and eyeing bigger prizes ahead.
They face Hilmar and Escalon both on the road next week and host Riverbank for the regular-season finale on May 8. Ripon (7-0 TVL, 13-4 overall) also tangles with Kimball and reigning NorCal champion Capital Christian on May 4 and 6, respectively, in challenging tune-ups for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
“I think we had a good showing, but our energy could have been better,” Ripon coach Tanner Jordan said. “Overall, good win, we’re happy with it — we’re just going to keep on working. We’re not going to settle with where we’re at in league, we’re going to keep working hard and get ready for playoffs.”
The San Francisco State-bound Caratachea has been terrific in her senior campaign but is leveling up as the postseason approaches.
Coming off a seven-inning perfect game against Hughson, she had retired 36 consecutive batters while stringing together 23 shutout innings. Both streaks were halted by the visiting Wolves (4-3, 9-10-1), who lead a bunched-up race for the three remaining postseason berths behind Ripon.
Cleanup hitter Olivia Costa ended Caratachea’s bid for another perfect game with a sharp single to right field in the fifth inning. She then knocked in Isabella Zazueta, who reached on an infield error, with a bloop hit up the middle in the seventh.
Caratachea did not walk any batters in her two-hit gem, striking out nine.
“She’s been on fire for us lately,” Jordan said. “She does a great job of leading the team and setting the tone. She’s working hard, and everyone is following behind her.”
Caratachea also sparked the attack. She drubbed a double to deep left in the second inning, and courtesy runner Clara Townsend scored the first run of the game on a throwing error after Chloe Lautenslager’s sacrifice bunt.
Alana Hernandez reached on all four of her plate appearances, finishing 2 for 3 with a walk, a double, two runs and an RBI. Addison Naranjo was also 2 for 3 with a run and three steals. Izabelle Spurzem (two RBIs) and Ava Brocchini (run) both went 2 for 4.
Ripon had chances to blow the game open, leaving nine runners on base. The Indians have stranded 20 runners in two games this week.
“It’s something we’re working on,” Jordan said. “Especially on a windy day like today, we were just working on getting better contact, get top half (of the ball) and put it in play a little bit more. We want to have good at-bats.”
