Salinas – The 16-under Gilroy Hot Shots fastpitch softball team won the NSA Western World Series Qualifier tournament this past weekend at the Salinas Sports Complex, earning an automatic bid to the NSA Western Worlds in July.
After winning one, losing one and tying two games in pool play, the Hot Shots upset the competition in playoff play to win the title. The Gilroy team allowed just two runs in its final three games of the tournament.
The Hot Shots went into the playoffs seeded fifth. Pitcher Melinda Ortiz shut down the Soquel Blast 5-0 in the first game. In the second-round game of the playoffs, Ortiz, suffering from heat exposure, put a stop to the Sunnyvale Stars 3-1, with the help of strong hitting from Mikhaela Osuna, Angelica Galindo, Jasmine Perez, Andrea Garcia, Jessica Garcia and Ashley Gamboa.
In the championship game, the Hot Shots defeated the San Jose Renegades. It was another pitching duel for Ortiz before the hot bat of Perez changed the game with a three-run home run to defeat the Renegades 3-1 and give the Gilroy team the championship.
Excellent defense was played by Mandy Lafuente, Jennifer Gross and Sara Cornaggia. Mariah Mastroieni and Amanda Vasquez also contributed to the championship win.
The Hot Shots are coached by manager Javier Ortiz, Joe Perez and Bobby Garcia.
