The Gilroy Chaos 12U White team travel won the 17-team showdown
at the Las Vegas Fall Ball Classic.
Special to the Dispatch
The Gilroy Chaos 12U White team travel won the 17-team showdown at the Las Vegas Fall Ball Classic.
Without starters Stephanie Rodriguez, Nicole Lara and Jasmine Gutierrez, the Chaos received help from their younger roster. Pitcher Celeste M. Jimenez, and outfielders Serena Sandoval and Marizza Lucio made the trip. After going undefeated in Saturday’s pool play, outscoring their opponents 36-1, the Chaos opened single-elimination play by winning its first two games before facing off with the 6-0 Paramount All-Stars from Los Angeles
After finishing the last three innings against Team Insanity, Jimenez started the game. The Chaos fell behind 1-0 early, but rallied in the third inning.
After two infield fly outs, Serena Sandoval got the rally started by singling. Following Sandoval, Elaina Vasquez walked, and Alex Duarte hit the first pitch fastball over the left fielder’s head for a stand-up double, bringing in Sandoval and Vasquez.
Lisa Woodson came in to relieve Jimenez on the mound and threw the final four innings. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Paramount responded with two more runs to take the lead back 3-2.
In the top of the fifth inning, Dani Hemeon started things with a leadoff single. Chelsea Chilman hit into a fielder’s choice, and Sandoval and Duarte walked. Stephanie Gomez doubled to clear the bases as the Chaos won 5-3
In the championship game, Gilroy defeated the West Covina Vipers 9-4. Both teams came into the game with 7-0 records.
Woodson got the start on the mound for the Chaos. In the bottom of the first inning, the Garlic Girls took the early lead after consecutive base hits by Sandoval and Vasquez.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Chaos scored two more runs. Hemeon had a single and Sandoval hit a triple.
In the bottom of the third, the Chaos had hits by Jimenez, Hemeon (double), Chilman, Sandoval (double) and Vasquez to go up 9-0.
But the West Covina Vipers struck back with three runs of their own in the top of the fourth. With no outs, Jimenez relieved Woodson. With a runner on first base, Jimenez snatched a line drive up the middle and doubled up the runner on first, ending the momentum by the Vipers. Jimenez finished the last four innings.
Also contributing to the Gilroy Chaos success were teammates Marizza Lucio, Anissa Martinez, and Sarah Ordaz.
Hitting: Stephanie Gomez (.611, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 11 rbis 7 runs), Serena Sandoval (.600 3 doubles, 3 triples, 7 RBIs 11 runs), Celeste M. Jimenez (.533 1 double, 1 triple, 8 RBIs, 6runs), Elaina Vasquez (.529 2 doubles, 10 runs), Alex Duarte (.500 double, grand slam, 10 RBIs, 8 runs), Sarah Ordaz (.333, 6RBIs).
Pitching Lisa Woodson (16.1 IP, 11 hits, seven runs, 20K’s). Celeste M. Jimenez (13.2 IP, 10hits, 3runs, 8K’s.)
