Junior Softball: Gilroy crushes Washington 13-1, tied for first at Western Regionals

Maria Sandoval stepped up  for her team when it needed her the most.
After a tough 11-7 loss to Montana Friday, the Gilroy Junior All Stars softball team needed a win to keep its dreams of reaching the World Series alive.
Sandoval brought her A-game, leaving Washington baffled on offense and defense as Gilroy — the Northern California State Champions — went onto win 13-1 in five innings. The team is now 2-1 at the Junior Softball Western Regionals which are being held in Tucson, Ariz.
Sandoval was a force to be reckoned with at the plate, generating a run in three of her four at bats. She had RBI singles in the first and second innings and an RBI double in the fourth that put Gilroy ahead 9-0.
In the circle, she was just as dangerous. Sandoval was lights out for Gilroy, striking out six in her four innings of work. She allowed no runs and only three hits and two walks.
Despite having an 8-0 lead heading into the top of the fourth, Gilroy’s bats did not cool down.
Madeline Cox got things going with a lead off single and was able to score after Sandoval doubled to centerfield. Sandoval stole third and was able to score off a Washington error, improving Gilroy’s lead to 10-0. Julia Rodriguez-Vela singled to right field and stole second with Briannalee Moreno at the plate. Moreno singled to advance Rodriguez-Vela to third, but she was able to score off a overthrow to home. Liezl Clark singled to right field, advancing Moreno to second — and things only got worse for Washington.
Michaela Decker battled a full count and then swung for the fences, hitting a triple to right field to score Clark and Moreno. Villanueva hit a single of her own to centerfield, scoring Decker for Gilroy’s final run of the game.
Clark was 2 for 4 with two RBIs, while Cynthia Del Real went 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI for Gilroy. Clark also got the win, pitching one inning where she allowed two hits, a run and a walk. 
Villanueva was 2 for 3 on the day, with two runs and an RBI. Decker went for 1 for 2 with two runs scored and an RBI in the game. 
Gilroy jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning and added two more runs in the second to lead 8-0. The team was scoreless in the third and fifth innings. 
Washington’s lone run came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Kristina Day was able to score from third when Hannah Quijdani grounded out to the pitcher.
Northern California, as of Monday morning, is in a five-way tie for first place with Alaska, Arizona, Montana and Washington. The team will face off against Utah (1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Monday.