Olvera tallies 20 Ks in 2 games.
MORGAN HILL – Behind a pair of 10-strikeout performances by senior ace Jennifer Olvera, the Gilroy High softball squad won its first two games of the Tournament of Champions, hosted by Live Oak.
Olvera – who also belted a home run in the first inning – flirted with a no-hitter into the sixth frame of the Lady Mustangs’ 5-3 opening round victory over Monta Vista. The right-handed starter followed up with a complete-game shutout in Gilroy’s 4-0 nod over Mercy of Burligame.
“She’s back into her rythm,” said head coach Julie Berggren of Olvera, who got a late start because of the varsity basketball team’s run into the CCS Semis. “She looked outstanding.”
Rained out on Friday, the Lady Mustangs played both games on Saturday – scoring at least one run in each of the first four innings against Monta Vista. Along with Olvera’s long ball, Gilroy got strong offensive games from sophomore Kayla Aldridge (2-for-4, run scored), senior first baseman Jenna Daugherty (double), and senior outfielder Laura Hennessee (3-for-3).
The Lady Mustangs were cruising – ahead 5-0 after five innings – but Monta Vista broke out with a three-run sixth to cut the gap to two. Olvera, however, survived the sixth and did not allow another run.
Although struggling at the plate early, Gilroy produced 10 hits against Monta Vista and followed up with an 11-hit effort against Mercy.
In the win over Mercy, the Lady Mustangs relied on a four-run third inning to back Olvera – who allowed only four hits in her second straight complete-game victory.
The Gilroy bats stayed hot as Daugherty registered another two-bagger with two RBIs; sophomore Francesca Lopez tallied two RBIs on a 2-for-2 day; junior catcher Bria DeLorenzo went 1-for-3 with a run scored; senior Cherise Martinez finished 2-for-3; and both freshman Liz Inez and senior Dallas Hernandez recorded hits.
The Tournament of Champions will continue Saturday, March 22.
Meanwhile, the Lady Mustangs have a March 18 non-league home game against Westmont at 3:30 p.m. followed by their March 20 league-opener on the road against Salinas at 3:45 p.m.
