Tripp Puts On a Show With No-Hitter, 2-0

Sometimes it resembles a carnival act more than a softball game.

Step right up and try to hit Rio Mesa High pitcher Chanel Tripp.

The junior right-hander hurled a no-hitter and struck out 14 to lead the Spartans (21-6) over Saugus, 2-0, Friday in a Southern Section Division II playoff opener at Rio Mesa.

Though she hadn’t pitched in more then a week, Tripp (20-3) shook off early rust and commanded her three-pitch arsenal with stunning efficiency.

She carved through the Centurions (15-12), retiring 14 of the final 16 batters to record her third no-hitter and 10th seven-inning shutout of the season.

“I think we hit maybe one ball hard off her,” Saugus Coach Richard Perez said.

Tripp walked three, including Jaclyn Holden to lead off the game. Tripp struck out seven of the next eight batters.

“Today was her good day,” said catcher Crystal Lindsey, whose run-scoring double in the fourth gave the Spartans a 2-0 lead.

“She was on. I don’t really think there’s been a time this year when she’s been off.”

Tripp lowered her earned-run average to 0.17 and struck out at least 10 for the 18th time this season.

Opponents are hitting .083 against her and she has 265 strikeouts and only 41 walks in 160 innings.

“She didn’t want to walk the leadoff batter,” Rio Mesa Coach John Velasquez said. “That got her going. You see a little more speed when she gets fired up.”

The Spartans scored single runs in the second and fourth innings off Megan Ivey (6-7).

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