Gilroy ends World Series ride with win over Cedar Mill, Ore. in
fifth-place game
Portland – An error hurt the Gilroy Little League Softball All-Stars Monday. But one helped them on Wednesday.
After five and a half scoreless innings against home team Cedar Mill, Ore. in the fifth place game of the Little League Softball World Series, Gilroy scored when third baseman Nicole Lara batted a hard-hit grounder to second. The ball was mishandled and Casey Lester (walk) scored from second, giving Gilroy the win.
“It came down to one ball and they made an error and we capitalized on it. With good teams like this, that’s what usually what happens. It’s what happened the other day,” said Gilroy manager Gene “Pops” Carlisle, referring to Gilroy’s 1-0 loss to Central (Mattawan, Mich.) two days earlier. “One game it goes against us, one game it goes for us.”
With the 1-0 victory, Gilroy finished in fifth place, one spot higher than last year’s World Series team.
“It feels a lot better ending on a win. I think the girls feel better,” Carlisle said. “I’m glad that the girls were able to have the experience. I was worried all the way through All-Stars, but when got here, it took a huge load off my mind.”
Starting pitcher Stephanie Rodriquez threw four innings, striking out three and allowing three hits.
Lester relieved Rodriquez for the final innings. She pitched a one-hitter through two innings and got Gilroy out of a crucial bases-loaded situation in the top of the sixth inning. Cedar Mill loaded the bases in that frame on two walks and an error. But Lester struck out Anne Marie Richards for the final out before the Oregon team could break the scoreless tie.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lester led off with a walk. After Michelle Sosa struck out, catcher Melanie Morelos (2-for-3) singled, advancing Lester to second. Lara then came to the plate for the winning play.
For Gilroy, Dani Hemeon and Kaylana Mah had one hit apiece.
Shortly after the game, the teams were honored in an awards ceremony and players from both teams received their 2006 World Series pins.
The Gilroy girls then enjoyed their last day of the series by signing each other’s purple batting helmets – just one of the goodies they received for playing in the World Series.
For Hemeon, Sam Parraz, Morelos, Rodriquez, Sosa and Elaina Vasquez, this was the last trip to the World Series. All six girls, who were also on last year’s World Series team, will be too old to play next season.
However, Nicole Lara, Lester, Mah, Celeste Mendoza, Amanda Poso, Sarina Sandoval and Sarah Spindel will be eligible to play on the Majors All-Star team again next year.
Might that mean a World Series three-peat? It’s possible.
“And three returners are pitchers,” Carlisle said. “They have a chance next year. The Minors have a lot of good players coming up.”
Fifth Place Game
Gilroy 1, Cedar Mill, Ore. 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Cedar Mill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2
Gilroy 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 1
Playoff Results
Semifinals
East (Pequannock, N.J.) 5, South (Morristown, Tenn.) 1
Central (Mattawan, Mich.) 2, Southwest (Elgin, Tex.) 0
Championship Game
Central 6, East 2
World Series Buzz
Big Bat – Gilroy outfielder and pitcher Sarah Spindel and a player from the South team (Morristown, Tenn.) were the winners of the Home Run Derby. Spindel had 10 chances to put one over the wall at Alpenrose Stadium and was successful on one attempt, winning a DeMarini bat.
I Scream, You Scream – If getting to the semifinals and playing live on ESPN2 was the World Series players‚ main goal, eating as much Alpenrose Dairy ice cream as possible was the second. Really, is there anything that can top having the World Series held on a field at a dairy that makes its own ice cream? When asked if she had tried all the flavors, Spindel said “No, not yet. But I’m planning to.” The favorite flavor among the players appeared to be Cookie Dough.
Superstitions, Part II – Gilroy All-Stars Nicole Lara and Stephanie Rodriquez used to have good luck charms, but they ate them. “I used to have this bright colored gum,” Lara said. “I even have it right here.” Lara took out a pack of Extra Spearmint gum, her mom adding, “I had to buy a whole box of it.” Rodriquez’s pre-game ritual involves eating snack size Snickers bars. There’s just one problem: “I don’t have any more because I ate them,” she said.
