YUBA CITY, CA (YSBC) - The River Valley Falcons softball team closed out the first half of Foothill Valley League play with a 4-2 victory over the Yuba City Honkers on April 2.

This was another instant classic between the rival programs as Yuba City took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first as senior infielder and Cornell commit, Chloe Gonzales, took a 1-1 pitch and sent it over the fence in center field.

Gonzales has dominated FVL pitchers throughout the first half of league play as she ended it with a .750 batting average, seven runs batted in (RBI) and eight extra-base hits.

Yuba City senior infielder Chloe Gonzales (13) blasts a home run against River Valley during the Honkers’ loss on April 2. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Gonzales finished the loss against River. Valley with two of the Honkers’ three hits.

Falcons sophomore pitcher Apple Ward returned inside the circle for the first time in a couple weeks after returning from an injury.

After the home run to Gonzales in the first inning. Ward contained the rest of the Yuba City lineup.

Ward tossed seven innings where she only gave up three hits, but walked seven in the win. Ward fanned 11 Honkers to get her seventh win of the season.

Ward tied the game in the fifth as she lined an RBI double to left. The Falcons took the lead in the sixth as senior infielder Kaitlyn Garcia hit an RBI single.

River Valley sophomore Apple Ward (19) tosses a pitch during the Falcons’ win over Yuba City on April 2. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Despite the loss to River Valley, Yuba City competed in Stockton over the weekend at the St. Mary’s tournament.

The Honkers went 2-1 and played all upper-division schools. The Yuba City bats woke up over the weekend as they pelted 43 hits between the weekend.

The Honkers and Falcons will both take the week off and resume FVL play next week.

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