Daugherty delivers at the plate in Gilroy’s 8-0 thrashing of
neighboring rival Live Oak
GILROY – Her teammates and hometown fans call her “Jedi”. But around the league and throughout the section, senior first baseman Jenna Daugherty is known for her heavy hitting in clutch situations.
So after driving in two runs in the first inning on a bases-loaded double to right-center field and singling in the third inning Monday, Daugherty was given the same respect that only San Francisco Giants’ slugger Barry Bonds receives when she was intentionally walked in the fourth frame with runners on second and third.
“It feels good, but I want to hit,” said Daugherty, who finished her day 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Gilroy High softball squad to an 8-0 home win over rival Live Oak. “I’ll take it any way it comes. As long as I get on base.”
It was the second intentional free pass Daugherty was issued – the first coming in Saturday’s 4-1 tournament victory over Hollister. And it’s not the Jedi-mind tricks (via Star Wars) that get her aboard. Daugherty can plain hit the ball.
“She definitely has earned the respect over the years,” said head coach Julie Berggren of her slugger. “If we keep putting runners on and she comes up, they are going to keep doing it to her. At least the smart teams will.”
The Lady Mustangs (4-5 in T-CAL, 12-10 overall) banged around Live Oak starter Jackie Jacob for eight runs on eight hits to follow up Saturday’s 16-0 shellacking of the Lady Acorns in the Watsonville Tournament.
“Finally,” said Daugherty of her recent hitting surge. “The tournament really pumped us up. Everyone has been hitting the ball.”
Senior third baseman Cherise Martinez bashed a pair of base hits – including a line shot that hit Jacob in the abdomen and forced her out of the game in the sixth inning.
Sophomore shortstop Kayla Aldridge (2-for-2, walk) broke out of her hitting slump with two base knocks and senior second baseman Dallas Hernandez doubled in three runs with a base-clearing shot to left field in the third inning.
In addition, junior catcher Bria DeLorenzo called her shot in the sixth inning when she singled to left field for her only base hit of the game.
“We’re finally hitting the ball hard on the ground. We’re forcing the other teams to work fast. We’re making them make errors,” said Berggren, whose squad is breaking out of its shell at the plate. “It’s so nice to get everyone in. We came around and we’re getting base hits. It’s not just one person, either. Almost everyone got a hit today.”
Senior ace Jennifer Olvera had another strong outing – tossing a complete-game shutout by allowing only two hits, striking out six, walking one, and forcing eight ground-ball outs.
“Jenn pitched an excellent game,” said Berggren of her senior right-hander.
Gilroy came out swinging – scoring three in the first frame and three in the third frame to jump out to an early 6-0 advantage. The Lady Mustangs added runs in the fourth and sixth innings to put Live Oak away for good.
“It was nice to give our fans here at home a good show,” said Berggren, whose squad will seek revenge on Salinas in a Wednesday road game at 4 p.m.
DIAMOND DEDICATION: Monday’s game was going to be canceled because of heavy rains at around 10:30 a.m. The field was under water and Coach Berggren was going to reschedule. But at lunch-time, Berggren’s players approached her and said they wanted to play today no matter what it took. “It was nice to see them fired up and wanting to play,” Berggren said. “They said they would do whatever it takes.”
RAIN MAKE-UP: The Gilroy High softball squad will travel to North Salinas on Friday for a 4 p.m. start. The Lady Mustangs were rained out against the Lady Vikings on April 24.
