Senior Day can be such a distraction that it often takes away
from the game.
That wasn’t the case Thursday afternoon, as Gilroy High’s
softball team dismantled the visiting Alisal Trojans for a 9-0
victory in the final home game of 10 seniors’ careers.
Senior Day can be such a distraction that it often takes away from the game.
That wasn’t the case Thursday afternoon, as Gilroy High’s softball team dismantled the visiting Alisal Trojans for a 9-0 victory in the final home game of 10 seniors’ careers.
One of those seniors, however, was distracted to the point that she had no idea she had just pulled off a no-hitter. Surprise!
“That feels awesome,” Gilroy pitcher Melinda “Mo” Ortiz said when asked how it felt to close out her last game at home with a win, and a no-hitter no less. A double-take later she looked up realized what had just been said. “No? Actually?”
Two walks and an error were the only things keeping Ortiz, who also recorded 11 strikeouts, from tossing a perfect game.
“I knew our defense would back me up,” Ortiz said. “I just had to hit my spots.”
Gilroy coach Catherine Hallada wasn’t surprised by the performance.
“It couldn’t be more perfect,” she said as players and their families gathered to take pictures after the game. “[Ortiz] works hard and deserves it.”
Every one of the 10 seniors – Angelica Galindo, Diana Carter, Brittany Balanesi, Michaela Motch, Kylie Herrada, Ashley Gamboa, Lauryn Chris, Caitlyn Pierotti, Ashley Serrano and Ortiz – played, giving their pitcher all the run support she needed.
Herrada (2-3) had a double in the first to score Chris, Pierotti had a double in the third that scored two more before crossing the plate herself on an error, Gamboa had an RBI double in the fourth and the Mustangs tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the sixth.
With the season-ending victory, Gilroy finishes with a third place showing in the Tri-County Athletic League (7-5) and a 19-8 overall record. The Mustangs’ next game will be in the playoffs, though the date won’t be determined until Saturday’s CCS selection meeting.
“No matter who it is (we play) it will be tough,” Hallada said. “(But) I think they (can win it). I have full confidence in them.”
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It was incorrectly reported that Jasmine Perez is a senior in a column in Tuesday’s edition. Perez is, in fact, a junior. The Dispatch regrets this error. Please send all future corrections to sp****@************ch.com.
