Fastpitch softball squad wins five straight, reaches
championship game
LAS VEGAS – The Gilroy Shockers 12-under softball squad cashed in at the Fifth Annual Las Vegas Tournament last weekend – bringing home second-place honors in the competitive 21-team field.
The Shockers – a local girls fastpitch club team – won five straight games to reach the tournament championship. After opening up with an 11-1 win over the Las Vegas No Fear, the local diamond girls rattled off victories over the San Diego High Voltage (10-6), the Las Vegas Trouble (8-3), the Las Vegas Bulldogs (18-3) and the San Diego Extreme (5-1).
In the title game against the Port Huenenme, Calif. Lady Ballerz, the first two innings went scoreless as neither team could get on the scoreboard. Then in the third inning, both teams exchanged runs to make it a 1-1 tie.
Following a scoreless fourth inning for Gilroy, the Lady Ballerz broke out for nine runs in their next two at-bats en route to a 10-2 championship victory.
Despite the tough loss, the Shocker players were awarded for their 5-1 record with a second-place trophy and medals for all the them as well as the coaches.
Hurler Ashley Harrington led Gilroy’s pitching staff with 15 innings pitched followed by teammate Ashley Serrano with eight innings of work and Alissa Castro with two more frames. Second baseman Sara Reinhart flashed her glove with several stops and catcher Caitlyn Pierotti was rock solid behind the plate.
Big batters of the weekend tournament were third baseman Emily Castro (who finished with a .706 batting average, highlighted by six doubles); rightfielder Mariah Mastroni (who batted .647 with 14 runs scored); shortstop Adrianna Barientos (who batted .588 with five RBI’s); catcher Caitlyn Pierotti (who held a .529 batting average with four doubles); and Harrington (who batted .455 with five RBI’s).
In addition, left-fielder Julie Wallace and Serrano each hit a home run. Elizabeth Wallace, Elissa Torres, Angelina Zuniga and Olivia Austin also made strong contributions in the team’s five-game winning streak.
The season was a turn around for the Gilroy Shockers 12U unit – which also placed second at the Fremont NSA Winter Qualifier.In eight tournaments, the Shockers compiled a total of 21 wins.
The team worked hard all season, and were led by an excellent coaching staff of manager Lino De La Cruz and coaches Marty Serrano, Jim Harrington, Larry Reimal, Gerry Wallace and Dennis Castro. Team parents offered excellent support throughout the season.
The Las Vegas Tournament wraps up the season for the Gilroy Shockers 12U.
