PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Irvine’s Bats Go to Work Early in 11-2 Victory Over Newport Harbor

Irvine scored 10 runs in the first two innings, then coasted to an 11-2 victory over Newport Harbor in a Sea View League softball game Wednesday at Heritage Park in Irvine.

The Vaqueros, undefeated after the first round of league play, had seven extra-base hits in maintaining their hold on first place.

Alleah Poulson, who started for Irvine’s Southern Section championship team two years ago, blasted a home run in the first and a triple in the second, good for four runs batted in. The UCLA-bound second baseman also had a single.

Monika Hollstein contributed a triple and a double, and Natalie Tomoguchi, Annette Smith and Kim Fischer all had doubles in the first two innings. All were solid hits except for Fischer’s, which traveled about six inches. She went all the way to second when no play was made on the spinning ball in front of the plate.

Irvine (16-4, 7-0 in league) took advantage of the home diamond conditions, wearing visors to ward off the sun’s glare coming from behind the plate.

The field setup may have hampered Newport Harbor (10-5, 4-3). “Opposing teams have trouble seeing the ball,” Irvine Coach Lisa Baker said.

Rebecca Smith pitched the first three innings for Irvine. Shi Nakabayashi pitched four strong innings in relief for the victory.