For once, it was difficult to determine whether the hitting was
ahead of the pitching, or vice versa.
For once, it was difficult to determine whether the hitting was ahead of the pitching, or vice versa.
Gilroy had things its way Saturday during the opening day of the Charlie Miguel Tournament at Twin Creeks, battering Branham 16-0 and crushing Santa Clara 11-0. Both games were shortened by either the mercy rule or time constraints.
Pitchers Melinda Ortiz and Patty Olvera didn’t allow a hit or walk. Ortiz went all five innings against Branham, striking out four. Olvera was perfect in three innings against Santa Clara, striking out four.
Meanwhile, Jasmine Perez and Alicia Reese continued their torrid hitting. Perez was 6 for 7 with six runs scored and nine RBIs in the two games. Reese was 5 for 6 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Each homered. Kylie Herrada was also 5 for 6.
“We were on fire in terms of our hitting,” GHS coach Catherine Hallada said. “Once we were able to time the pitchers, they couldn’t stop us. (Perez and Reese) always come out hitting.”
Herrada was 3 for 4 with three runs scored and two RBI to contribute to Gilroy’s 18-hit attack against Branham. Yolonda Esquivel and Olvera had two hits apiece. Amanda Tellez had a home run and three RBIs for the Mustangs (13-4).
After a slow start, a 10-run third inning was the difference for GHS against Santa Clara. Every Mustang reached base in a 13-hit attack. Herrada and Tellez each had two hits. Brittany Balanesi, Lauryn Chris and Perez each scored two runs.
“I hope we hit like that Thursday,” Hallada said of Gilroy’s upcoming Tri-County Athletic League home contest against North Salinas.
The Mustangs will be down one girl against the Vikings as Ortiz will rest an injury. The junior should be ready to go next weekend when Gilroy resumes the Charlie Miguel Tournament.
The competition will be stiffer as the Mustangs compete in the Gold Bracket. Their first game is 10am Saturday against Fremont. The Firebirds enter the week unbeaten with a 6-0-1 record.
“They’re a good team,” Hallada said of Fremont. “I’m happy with the way we started the tournament. We were the only team that was unscored upon.”
That earned Gilroy the No. 1 seed in the Gold Bracket.
