GILROY—New Hope Community Church, the fourth seed in the Thursday Men’s EE Softball League Playoff Night, used a pair of one-run victories to come away with the 2015 spring-summer title.
New Hope needed a play at the plate to turn back top-seed Claddagh 14-13, then a double play in the bottom of the seventh to edge the Assassins 21-20 in the title game.
Eight consecutive one-out singles in the top of the seventh gave New Hope six runs and a 14-13 lead over Claddagh. Ray Ramos and Rudy Rodriguez each managed a two-run single.
Two outs into the seventh inning, catcher Rodriguez was able to get the glove on the approaching runner to give New Hope the win.
Jesus Begines homered for the winners. Matt Figone produced a triple, double and single for Claddagh.
The Assassins reached the finals with a 32-22 nod over VFW Bingo, highlighted by a Johnny Bueno home run and five runs scored by Daniel Garcia. Julio Zavala, Adrian Diaz and Marcos Lopez launched home runs for VFW Bingo.
New Hope, trailing 20-19 to the Assassins after six innings, pushed across two runs in the seventh. Singles by Chris Ortiz and Begines anchored the comeback.
The Assassins put runners on second and third with none out in the seventh, only to have a play to the plate earn the first out and a double play end the contest.
Ortiz went 5 for 5 and Steve Quistian and Begines each homered for the champions. Luis Bobadilla homered and Bueno netted four hits for the Assassins.
Friday EE League
Old City Hall, the second seed, came through the two-game playoff series Friday at Las Animas Veterans Park to take the championship.
Under Construction, the regular-season titlist, begin the playoff night with a 17-7 decision over Gil’s Warriors. Chris Velador came through with four singles for Construction. Juan Gutierrez homered and singled for Gil’s Warriors.
Old City Hall followed with an 11-5 victory over Humboldt Brewing. Daniel Vasquez hit a three-run homer as Old City Hall snapped a 4-4 tie with seven runs in the sixth inning. Angel Gamboa paced Humboldt with three hits.
Old City Hall upset Under Construction 21-10 in the finals. Greg Lucio produced a double and two singles, scoring twice for the champions. Rick Trujillo went 3 for 3 for Construction.
