From the start of the season, Gilroys’ goal was to reach the Central Coast Section Division II finals.
On Wednesday, that goal was achieved.
After falling to Los Altos early, the Mustangs bounced back to top the Eagles 2-1 in seven innings at San Jose PAL Stadium. The win sends Gilroy to the finals where they will take on Mt. Pleasant at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
“We’re pretty excited right now,” Mustangs coach Julie Berggren said. “This is definitely something the girls have been working on the entire season. It’s a goal we set at the beginning at the year. We’re really, really excited.”
With the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the seventh, Anna Gamboa tripled for the Mustangs. Nicole Green hit a ground ball to third, but the Eagles were unable to pickoff Gamboa and ending up throwing the ball away instead. This allowed Gamboa to cross the plate as Gilroy’s winning run.
Lauren Castro went the distance, allowing only two hits while striking out eight – including the final batter – in the game.
“To get the strikeout, it definitely made me so happy,” Castro said. “I jumped up and down and was just excited that we won.”
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the Mustangs quickly answered. Holly Lam led off the second with a single and advanced to second base off an Amber Gamboa bunt. With two outs, Crissy Simpson hit a shot over the right fielder’s head for a double to send Lam home and tie the game at 1-1.
The Eagles were able to get runners on base in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings but were unable to capitalize on them.
While Gilroy was happy with its win, Berggren said her team still felt they could’ve done better and intend to prove that in the championship game.
“After the game everyone was a little disappointed,” she said. “The group consensus was that we could’ve hit the ball more because we can hit the ball more. But on Saturday we’ll be ready.”
As the Mustangs prep for Saturday’s game against the 19-5 Mt. Pleasant, Castro said her team has already has a game plan in place.
“I feel if we come out strong, hitting wise we can win,” Castro said. “As long as we hit the ball from start to finish, I think we’ll win because we already have strong defense.”
