A combination of timely hitting and clutch pitching contributed to the Gilroy Chaos 12-and-under softball team’s tournament championship at the Spring Fling at the Big League Dreams Sports Park in Manteca last weekend.
The Chaos totaled 45 hits on offense and their pitchers registered 30 strikeouts in going 6-0.
In the championship game, the Chaos had their second meeting with the Tracy Triumph – a team Gilroy defeated in pool play 12-6.
The game was closer through the first two innings. Catcher Joie Niehoff contributed to a stingy defensive effort throwing out two runners trying to steal second. Hitting standout, Julia Rodriguez, had a three-run home run to blow the game open for Gilroy in the third inning of an eventual 7-2 victory. Rodriguez also had a triple and the defense recorded 10 putouts.
The championship game was a walk in the park compared to a couple of the pool play contests Saturday.
The tournament began with a bang as the Chaos came from behind to beat the Brentwood Wildcats 7-6. Down 6-5 in the bottom of the fourth, Niehoff and Haley Berube walked. Emma Peachey laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the pair up one base each. Miranda Janisch then belted a 1-2 pitch for a two-RBI double that gave the Chaos the win.
Berube, Rodriguez, Peachey, AnnaIsabel Perez, Amanda Bombino and Taylor Neunschwander contributed to a 10-hit, 15-2 win over the NorCal Elite to move to 2-0. The Chaos came up with another 11 hits, including doubles from Bombino, Janisch and Berube, to beat Extreme Elite 8-6. The 12-6 victory against the Triumph completed a 4-0 first day and earned the Chaos their No. 1-seed for Day 2. Pitchers Bryannalee Moreno and Janisch combined for 23 strikeouts on Day 1.
The Chaos took on the Extreme Elite in the semifinals. Though the lead exchanged hands multiple times, a walk and aggressive base running by Peachey set up the winnings run. And Madison Camacho delivered the hit to send the team into the championship.
“Although softball is just a game, it teaches our girls many of those life experiences that they will encounter outside of the game. This past weekend’s experiences showed these girls what hard work, dedication and perseverance can accomplish,” Chaos manager Sharon Niehoff said. “I have had many great softball memories over the years – thank you girls for yet another great memory.”
Gilroy Chaos, a team comprised of players from Gilroy and Morgan Hill, are playing Saturday at Twin Creeks Sports Complex.
