Lady ‘Stangs fall in 13th to Acorns
By NATHAN MIXTER
Staff Writer
MORGAN HILL – When the Gilroy and Live Oak softball teams meet, the game is almost certain to go into extra innings.
Thursday’s MBL contest against visiting Gilroy was no differerent. Just your typical matchup. The game went to 13 innings before Live Oak was able to knock in the winning runs to win 5-4.
Both teams pounded out a combined 21 hits, but neither Gilroy ace Jenn Overa nor Live Oak ace Claire Watson allowed a run until the international tie breaker rule with a runner on second was put into play in the 10th inning.
Live Oak matched Gilroy in each of the extra frames to keep the game going and won it in the 13th inning.
“These games are so tough for the loser,” said Live Oak coach Barry McDonnell. “You almost feel like, when it gets into the 13th or 14th inning, just calling it a tie. It’s tough for the gals on either team to lose.”
Gilroy started off the tenth inning with Vicki Velasquez on second base. She was successfull bunted over and scored on a two-out base hit down the line by Olvera.
The Acorns answered in the bottom half even though the leadoff runner was picked off. The Acorns loaded the bases and Kristine Miles tied the score with a single to left field.
Gilroy started the 11th inning by once again excecuting a perfect bunt to move the runner over right away. Bria Delorenzo knocked her in.
Live Oak answered in the bottom after the leadoff runner Michelle Alvernaz slid safely into third base on a bunt by Katie Hillman as the Mustangs tried to get the lead runner. Alvernaz scored on a fielder’s choice by Megan MacDonald.
After Gilroy failed to score in the top of the 12th inning, Live Oak loaded the bases, but also failed to score.
The Mustangs appeared to have the game won in the top of the 13th. Junior Cherise Martinez doubled in the first run, and Katrina Villa knocked in another.
Live Oak came back from being down two runs to win. With two outs, the bases loaded and one run in, the Acorns hit a ball that the centerfielder was unable to make a running catch on and two runs scored.
