It was score or go home for Gilroy.
The Mustangs trailed the undefeated Archbishop Mitty Monarchs 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning and were facing having their season end by Mitty’s hand for the second year in a row.
But Gilroy wasn’t about to let that happen.
The Mustangs (15-12) won in dramatic fashion, topping the Monarchs 6-3 in nine innings in the CCS Softball Division II quarterfinals on Saturday in San Jose.
“Mitty is kind of one of those teams where they have this confidence about them – their reputation precedes them,” Gilroy softball coach Julie Berggren said. “Everyone is kind of like ‘Good Luck’ or ‘Yeah, right (you’ll beat them)’. But this team just doesn’t ever give up… It was a full team effort in this victory – everyone contributed. There’s no describing how fun this victory was.”
The Monarchs eliminated the Mustangs in the CCS Semifinals last season. This year it was Gilroy’s chance to return the favor.
Kaylana Mah led off the seventh inning with a triple. She was able to score off a single from Lauren Castro, tying the game at 3-3 and sending it into extra innings.
Both teams were unable to score in the eighth, despite Holly Lam leading off the inning with a triple.
With the game tied in the top of the ninth, Mah got things started for the Mustangs with a single before stealing second. Castro hit a shot to centerfield and Mah was able to score after obstruction was called on Mitty’s shortstop, giving the Mustangs’ a 4-3 lead — their first of the game.
And they weren’t about to stop there.
Amber Gamboa doubled, scoring Castro and was then able to cross the plate herself after a double by Lam.
“Our bats just came alive in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings,” Berggren said. “We just hit the ball hard and far.”
Mah went 4 for 5 with two runs in the game. Castro went 3 for 5 at the plate and was also stellar on the mound. She went the distance, giving up only four hits and three walks while striking out five.
Lam went 3 for 5 with a triple and double in the game.
The Mustangs will take on the No. 5 seeded Los Altos (16-9-2) in the semifinals a 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the San Jose PAL Stadium in San Jose.
Berggren said that beating one of the best teams in the nation — Maxpreps.com ranks Mitty as No. 5 in the country — is excellent preparation for their next game.
“It’s just another confidence builder in the path we’re taking this year,” she said. “Now our focus is on the next game, now it’s time to refocus. We’re really not going to change a lot about our approach. We’re going to play solid defense and hit the ball.”
If you go:
Who: Gilroy vs. Los Altos
What: Semi-final round of the CCS Softball Division II playoffs
When: 4:30 p.m., Wednesday
Where: San Jose PAL Stadium
680 South 34th Street, San Jose
Why: The Mustangs have the chance to advance to the finals with a win
over Los Altos. A victory on Wednesday gives Gilroy a shot at their
first CCS Division crown since 1999.
