Gavilan softball dipped to 0-2 in Coast Conference South play after an 8-4 setback against visiting Hartnell on Tuesday in Gilroy.
Ashley Andrew tossed a complete game for the Panthers, allowing six hits and striking out six for the win. Four of the Rams’ six hits came in a four-run bottom of the sixth, which cut a seven-run deficit to 8-4.
Gavilan (6-12-1 overall) fell behind 3-0 after two-and-a-half innings. Gavilan starter Sam Bejarano helped her cause in the bottom of third, leading off the frame with a single. She later scored on Adrianna Osuna’s sacrifice fly to right field to make it 3-1. Despite loading the bases, the Rams only cashed in the one run.
The Panthers, behind three RBIs from Jaynie MacDonald, answered back with two runs in the fifth and four in the sixth to reach the 8-1 advantage.
The Rams responded with the four-run sixth. With two outs, Shayna Osuna and Danielle Vallejo put together back-to-back hits and were followed by Casey Garcia reaching on an error to load the bases. Priscilla Orona belted a bases-clearing triple off the base of the right field fence to make matters a bit more interesting. After a Bejarano walk, Andrew caught Hailey Nelson looking at strike three to end the inning.
Andrew shut the door in the seventh to seal the Panthers’ first conference win of the season.
Gavilan is back on the diamond Thursday against West Valley at 3 p.m. in Gilroy.
