2 No-Hitters Begin Season of Softball

Two opening-day softball games, two no-hitters. What do Hart High’s Samantha Ford and Crescenta Valley’s April Russell have left to prove?

Ford, a senior, began the season in peak form. She struck out 19 while walking just one in recording her 17th career no-hitter. Her performance helped Hart to a 2-0 home victory over Thousand Oaks.

Third baseman Lorie Fausett drove in both runs for Hart with a two-out homer down the left-field line in the sixth inning.

Crescenta Valley’s Russell was equally as dominate as Ford. She no-hit Saugus in a five-inning game called by darkness at Saugus, 16-4. Russell also helped her team with the bat, hitting a two-run homer.