Junior Softball: Gilroy’s bats stay hot in 21-8 win over Utah at Western Regionals

With the battle for sole possession of first place on, Gilroy turned its already hot offense up a notch.
Northern California (Gilroy) generated hit after hit to best Utah 21-8 in five innings at the Junior Softball Western Regional Monday in Tucson, Ariz.
The victory helped break up the five-way tie for first, leaving Northern California (3-1) and Washington (3-2) with the two best records in the tournament thus far. The tournament champion will take its place representing the West in the Junior Softball World Series starting Aug. 11 in Kirkland, Wash. 
Liezl Clark wasted no time getting things started for Gilroy. Clark a had lead-off single in the top of the first and quickly got herself in scoring position by stealing second and third. Cynthia Del Real singled to right field to score Clark and advanced to second on a Madeline Cox line drive to centerfield.
Maria Sandoval followed suit, singling to centerfield to score Del Real and Cox, putting Gilroy ahead 3-0. Julianna Figone singled allowing Sandoval to reach third and putting runners on the corners for Julia Rodriguez-Vela. She hit a high fly ball to centerfield, scoring Sandoval and putting NorCal ahead 4-0. Figone was able to reach home and Rodriguez-Vela reached third off a Utah throwing error. Rodriguez-Vela stole home, giving Gilroy a 6-0 lead before Clark flied out to the inning.
Washington answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but were quickly silenced by NorCal scoring five more of its own in the top of the second.
With a run already across, Gilroy was able to load up the bases after Utah gave up a single and walk and committed an error. Rodriguez-Vela was hit by a pitch, sending Cox home and keeping the bags occupied for Gilroy.  Briannalee Moreno laid down the bunt to score Sandoval and increase NorCal’s lead to 9-2.
Clark hit a hard ground ball to left field for an RBI double which gave the team an 11-2 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning.
Utah would push another run across in the bottom half of the inning, but be unable to score in the third and fourth. NorCal, on the other hand, added two runs in both the third and fourth innings. They continued to put the hurt on, scoring six more in the top of the fifth.
With runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth inning, Stephanie Amstutz singled to right field. The blast sent Cox home and Sandoval to third. Sandoval was able to score on a wild pitch, while Amstutz found her way to second. Rodriguez-Vela walked and Moreno singled to right field to load the bases for Gilroy.
Clark reached on a fielder’s choice, causing Amstutz to be out at home. The bases remained loaded for the NorCal champs and they would not let the opportunity go to waste.
Decker blasted a double to right field, scoring Rodriguez-Vela and Moreno. Clark was able to beat the throw to home, putting another across for Gilroy to increase the team’s lead to 20-3. Gilroy’s final run came off the bat of Del Real, who singled to left field to score Decker.
Utah generated five runs in the bottom half of the inning, but it would be too little, too late for the team from the Beehive State.
Del Real went 3 for 5 with three RBIs, two runs and a stolen base. Clark also went 3 for 5 with three runs, two RBIs, a double and three stolen bases. 
Decker was 2 for 4 for Gilroy, with three RBIs, two runs, a double and stolen base in the game. 
Sandoval was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate, scoring three runs and three RBIs. She pitched three innings for Gilroy, allowing three hits, three runs and a walk while striking out four. 
Gilroy continues play today against Southern California. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.