Olvera tosses complete game in 1-0 win over No. 11 Westmont.
GILROY – It took a little longer than expected for junior catcher Bria DeLorenzo to get her birthday cupcakes – but Tuesday’s 1-0 extra-inning victory over Westmont made it well worth the wait.
“Our team is clicking really well. We have a lot of teamwork and a lot of team chemistry,” said DeLorenzo on her 17th birthday. “Our defense is really solid this year.”
In addition to giving DeLorenzo a birthday victory, the Gilroy High softball squad also proved that its snubbing in the opening CCS Rankings was a mistake – especially since taking out No. 11 Westmont.
“We got no respect,” said second-year skipper Julie Berggren, who was well aware of the rankings heading into Tuesday’s non-league game.
It was another nailbiter though, as senior ace Jenn Olvera pitched no-hit ball into the seventh inning – but did not see any run support until the ninth frame. Olvera earned the complete-game victory with 11 strikeouts, while allowing only three base hits and issuing two walks.
“I was just working on all my junk so I have them all down for league,” said Olvera, eyeing Thursday’s league opener on the road against Salinas at 3:45 p.m. “I’m almost there. I’ve got a couple more things to work on. We have a tough league this year.”
The Lady Mustangs broke the scoreless tie in the ninth inning with sophomore shortstop Kayla Aldrigde working a base-on-balls to lead off and then Olvera following with a single to right field. A DeLorenzo sacrifice bunt pushed the runners to second and third with one out and senior third baseman Cherise Martinez due up.
Martinez got the job done – sending a grounder to second base to drive in the game-winning run.
“It was nice to see the heart of our line-up come through,” Berggren said.
Gilroy – which accumulated 22 hits over two games during last weekend’s Tournament of Champions in Morgan Hill that continues Saturday with an 11 a.m. game in Community Park – managed only four hits against Westmont. The two hardest shots came off the bat of freshman Liz Inez – who belted a pair doubles to deep left field.
“Outstanding effort,” said Berggren of Inez. “She changed her swing. (Coach Frank Reyes’) new style is working for her.”
Both of Inez’s jacks sailed high over the Westmont leftfielder’s head and to the fence. Olvera’s single in the ninth and senior second baseman Dallas Hernandez’s single in the third were the Lady Mustangs’ only other hits.
“Over the weekend, we were doing really well,” DeLorenzo said. “Today, we didn’t go with the pitches. We were trying to pull everything and it wasn’t working.”
Aldridge flashed a Gold Glove at shortstop – making a diving grab on a liner in the seventh inning with a runner on second base as well as stretching out for a grounder in the ninth and tossing over to third base for the putout with runners on first and second. Aldridge made seven putouts in all.
“Kayla, she’s awesome,” said Olvera, glad Aldridge transferred over from Notre Dame-Salinas. “She’s a key player for us this year.”
Martinez also showed off her defensive prowess with an over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory in the ninth frame.
“We pride ourselves on defense,” Berggren said.
