Gilroy
– Coach Katherine Hallada hopes that big offensive outputs are a
large part of what the Gilroy High softball team does this
season.
Gilroy – Coach Katherine Hallada hopes that big offensive outputs are a large part of what the Gilroy High softball team does this season.
The Mustangs got their first glimpse of that in their season opener Friday as they pounded out 13 hits en route to an 11-1 win over defending Central Coast Section runner-up Watsonville.
“I think that’s going to define us. We’re going to be a hitting team,” Hallada said.
Gilroy scored five times in the first two innings to take control of the game and then put it away with a six-run fifth.
The game officially ended at that point due to the 10-run rule, although the Wildcatz were given one more inning to bat and Jamie Skocko blasted a two-run homer that did not count in the final score.
Lauren Chris paced the offensive explosion, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored from the leadoff spot. Patty Olvera was 3-for-3, including a double, and also had three RBIs and two runs scored. Angelica Galindo had a double and two runs scored.
Olvera went the distance in the circle, scattering eight hits over five innings and striking out four.
While Watsonville did not pitch its ace Noemi Torres – something Hallada pointed out as making a difference in the game – the win should provide a boost as Gilroy prepares for a tough four-game schedule next week, beginning with Tuesday’s home contest against Archbishop Mitty.
“We’re ready to play, we’ve been ready for a week,” Hallada said. “We’re just glad to be out here playing. We’re in it now.”
After facing Mitty, the Mustangs’ tough week of competition continues when it plays at Pioneer on Wednesday and hosts St. Francis on Thursday, before beginning the Circle of Champions tournament at Salinas Sports Complex on Friday.
