Gilroy softball’s league opener quickly became a laugher as the
Mustangs sent the visiting Alvarez Eagles away with a 15-0 defeat
Tuesday afternoon.
GILROY – Gilroy softball’s league opener quickly became a laugher as the Mustangs sent the visiting Alvarez Eagles away with a 15-0 defeat Tuesday afternoon.
Ashley Harrington pitched a one-hit shutout for the Mustangs, putting Gilroy at 5-4-1 on the season and 1-0 in Tri-County Athletic League play. Equally effective were Gilroy’s bats, which started strong from the start.
Alyssa Castro led off with a triple for GHS, Jasmine Perez walked and Emily Castro gave Gilroy a lead that would not be challenged by following the pair with a three-run home run.
“It was a beautiful hit,” Gilroy coach Catherine Hallada said of Castro’s crush.
“Everyone hit very well. I think everyone had at least one or two hits.”
Having been out of action for 10 days following an 8-0 loss to rival San Benito in the Circle of Champions Tournament final, the Mustangs showed their practices have paid off.
“The more practice we did, I think it actually helped us get better for today,” Hallada said. “We were able to really work on our hitting.”
The sting of defeat having a chance to linger for so long also might have helped, the coach added.
“I think it actually motivated us to work a little bit harder,” Hallada said.
The Mustangs will play another TCAL contest Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Notre Dame before returning home to host Archbishop Mitty in the final non-league contest of the regular season Friday.
Despite getting off to a somewhat slow start, Hallada thinks her club will be right in the thick of things by the end of league play.
“I think we’re going to be pretty successful,” she said. “I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have a lot of great hitters.
“As long as we keep hitting we’ll definitely be giving Hollister and Notre Dame a run for their money.”
