Krueger's no-hitter, Rangers' big offense are keys in 13-0 win

Santa Rosa Academy's Jordan Krueger pitched a no-hitter Wednesday. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

Jordan Krueger pitched a no-hitter and the Santa Rosa Academy softball team displayed plenty of offense Wednesday in a 13-0 win at St. Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School in Temecula. The win for the Rangers maintains their undefeated league record, with an overall record of 5-2-1.

After a triple from Kadence Bernard and the following two-run homer from Faith Krueger in the first inning, the Rangers were off to a quick start. They scored three more runs in that inning on two singles and a dropped third strike.

Faith's sister Jordan Krueger then walked the first two batters of the bottom of the first but struck out the next three to end the inning.

Emily Heraz started off the Rangers' second-inning rally with a triple to left field that was followed by a single from Ari Castle, then two consecutive homers from Faith Krueger again and Bernard. Jordan Krueger kept it rolling with a line-drive double, followed by a triple by Madeleine Hillyer. The Rangers didn't see their first out until a baserunning error on the next at-bat. Lisa Cante then tripled to center field. The bases were loaded three batters later with a handful of walks and Heraz singled to get one more RBI in the inning.

Head coach Dan Torres said this type of hitting is routine for his lineup.

"I feel really blessed to have this team. They can all really hit the ball so well," said Torres. "There are no superstars; they all play really well."

Jordan Krueger kept up her no-hitter with one walk and two strikeouts in the second, accompanied by a third out when a Mustang was caught stealing.

The Rangers pumped the brakes a little bit in the third inning, commiting a few base path errors. But the bats couldn't be stopped and a single from Castle and Bernard, as well as a triple and double from the Krueger sisters, gave Santa Rosa a 13-run lead at the end of their third at-bat.

Jordan Krueger finished off her no-hitter with a total of 12 strikeouts and four walks, taking the win from the circle -- a position she said she looks forward to.

"I love it. This is where I can improve my game," Krueger said. "This is the position I want to be in."

Her teammates' hitting, as well as her own, put her in position to get the shutout, with nearly 20 hits in 27 at-bats. This is something she said will take the team to a successful postseason in CIF playoffs.

"We're ready for CIF," Krueger said. "We have something to prove and we're ready to prove ourselves."

Torres said this team is something special and he looks forward to what the rest of their season together will bring. As this is his last year before retirement, he feels blessed to have this specific group of athletes.

"This is a special group. I have loved every team I coach, but this team is something special," Torres said. "If the community wants to see how a team is supposed to play together and watch a team that knows how to truly play together, they need to come watch these girls."

The Rangers' next game will be next Tuesday at Desert Christian Academy at 3:30 p.m.

Sisters Jordan and Faith Krueger celebrate another big hit for the Rangers. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Ari Castle of the Rangers puts the tag on a St. Jeanne baserunner. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Rangers coach Dan Torres is enjoying a big season in his last year before retirement. (Photo by Rick Rowell)