Like clockwork, the Gilroy LIttle League Major softball
All-Stars got past two more challengers last week to advance to the
Northern California Division 2 State Championship tournament
final.
Like clockwork, the Gilroy LIttle League Major softball All-Stars got past two more challengers last week to advance to the Northern California Division 2 State Championship tournament final.
Tha final is slated for tonight at 6 p.m. in Martinez.
Gilroy had to scrap and claw its way to the championship game, notching a 3-0 win over Cottonwood Little League to open up tournament play last Thursday night. The girls followed that victory up with an 8-1 triumph over Martinez on Saturday.
Gilroy scored at least one run in five of the six innings, including three tallies in the fifth to expand a 4-1 lead into a 7-1 cushion.
Pati Soria, who finished the game 2-for-4, singled and scored for the first run of the third. Anna Gamboa crossed on a base knock by Brook Loesch, who later came across on a Cynthia Delreal gapper.
Though the bats weren’t as lively as usual Thursday, Lauren Castro eased any worries with a stellar pitching performance.
Castro struck out the first 17 batters she faced, leaving her one out away from a perfect game. After surrendering a walk, Castro fanned the last batter of the game to salvage the impressive no-hitter.
“Lauren was incredible, and I really wanted her to get that last strikeout for the perfect game,” manager Ed Castro said. “But it was still great to watch.”
In two of the six innings, Castro needed just nine pitches to retire the side.
Jumping in front of opponents early in the ball game is an approach that has continued to pay dividends throughout the girls’ playoff push. The first inning Thursday. was no different.
After reaching on an error, Brook Loesch promptly stole second and third and completed her round trip, scoring on an Anna Gamboa single.
Both teams’ bats were silent until the fifth inning. Adrianna Figone double to start the inning. Michaela Decker pinch ran for Figone and completed her assignment, stealing third and scoring on a passed ball for a 2-0 lead.
Gamboa punctuated the scoring in the sixth inning, scoring on a passed ball after leading off the inning with a triple.
Visit gilroydispatch.com/sports for results of Monday’s championship.
