Lady Mustang softball wins second straight extra-inning game
GILROY – The Gilroy High softball squad’s cardiac start to its season continued with Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Monterey in a non-league affair that lasted eight innings before being decided.
“It’s typical Gilroy softball. It’s not stressing me out as much as it used to. I’m getting used to it,” third-year head coach Julie Berggren said. “I have a lot of confidence in the girls.”
It was the second straight extra-inning game for the Lady Mustangs (2-0 overall), who beat Westmont on Saturday by a 2-0 spread in a nine-inning contest on the road.
“It was an exciting game. We made four errors, but we were able to come back from our errors,” said Berggren of the opening nod. “Besides the four errors, we played pretty sound defense when we needed it most.”
Sophomore hurler Sarah Villar got the win, scattering two hits for no runs despite four errors behind her in the field. Gilroy, which scored both of its runs in the top of the ninth inning, managed two hits and benefited from three Westmont errors. The Westmont pitcher of record was Breanna Kuny.
The Lady Mustangs have only one senior, catcher Bria DeLorenzo, on their varsity roster this season compared to having six freshmen. Although the Gilroy line-up is filled with young players, the team is full of experience with most of the underclassmen competing on travel teams.
“They all have so much playing experience. They all play competitive travel ball,” Berggren said. “They never give up. You can see it in their eyes. They know they can do it and they believe in themselves.”
In their home opener Tuesday afternoon, the Lady Mustangs traded runs with Monterey in the fourth frame. Freshman third baseman Amanda Tellez scored on a past ball to tie the score in the bottom half of the inning.
Pushing into the eighth inning, Gilroy put an end to another tight game when Villar reached first on a line shot to third base that went off the infielder’s glove and trickled into left field. Villar then stole second and third base before scoring the game-winning run on a wild pitch.
Junior Christina Hernandez, who pitched the first four innings before giving way to Villar, was at the plate as Villar hustled around the bases. Hernandez, a varsity returner, and Villar, who bounced up and down from varsity to JV last season, are expected to be Gilroy’s one-two punch this season on the mound.
“They have different styles. They just complement each other so well. Christina is more of a finesse pitcher. She relies on her pitches that move. Sarah’s more of a throw-right-at-you pitcher,” Berggren said. “It’s definitely nice to have two pitchers that can work together and they’re such good friends.”
When Villar is on the hill, Hernandez plays centerfield and when Hernandez is on the hill, Villar patrols center for Gilroy.
DeLorenzo returns behind the plate for the Lady Mustangs, bringing big-game experience and leadership to the team.
“She actually is playing outstanding right now considering she is injured,” said Berggren of DeLorenzo, who is having shoulder problems and going to physical therapy. “You wouldn’t be able to tell if you watched her play. She threw a girl out by three steps today.”
“She’s definitely the team leader,” the coach added. “She’s my only senior. They look up to her. She’s always coaching them a little bit, which is wonderful.”
Junior shortstop Kayla Aldridge is back to lead the freshmen-filled infield, after starting as a sophomore transfer from Notre Dame-Salinas.
“She definitely is able to lead the girls,” Berggren said. “She knows how we run our defense. We expect her to run our infield and be our leader out on the field, her and Bria.”
Tellez takes over the starting role at third base and adds a solid stick to the top of the Lady Mustang batting order.
“She’s doing a great job. She works super hard in practice. She’s determined to win,” Berggren said. “She bats number two in our line-up right now.”
At the other corner is freshman first baseman Erin Magill, another first-year varsity player who plays travel ball over the summer.
“She looks great,” said Berggren of Magill. “She had two hits for us today and she’s been playing hard.”
Freshman Yolanda Esquivel gets the starting nod at second base to complete the infield for the Lady Mustangs.
“She’s quick. She has good reactions to the ball and she’s got a quick relase,” Berggren said. “She’s also our lead-off hitter right now.”
Sophomore outfielder Kristen Campos has not played yet, joining the team only yesterday after a extended playoff run with the Gilroy High girls basketball team, which took second in CCS and qualified for Nor-Cals.
Freshman Patty Olvera, younger sister of former ace pitcher Jennifer Olvera, who went to Vanguard University on a softball scholarship, has been starting in the outfield and showing the same resiliency as her older sibling.
“She’s been hitting the ball hard, making great contact,” Berggren said. “(Patty and Jennifer) are so much alike it’s scary.”
Last season, the Lady Mustangs finished fourth in the Tri-County Athletic League reached the second round of the Central Coast Section Playoffs before falling to Carlmont. Once again, Berggren is assisted by coaches Byron Bunten and Frank Reyes.
“We’re young and we’re talented. We have such the inner drive to want to play softball and be good softball players,” Berggren said. “Our team chemistry is unbelievable this year. They’ve jelled so well together.”
Monterey 000 100 00 – 1 4 1
GILROY 000 100 01– 2 3 2
M-Coustette and Agloro. G-Hernandez, Villar (4), and DeLorenzo. WP-Villar. LP-Coustette. 2B-Russo. 2H-M-Coustette 2×4. G-Migill 2×3.
