As different players continue to step up and contribute, Gilroy
High’s varsity softball team continues to win.
As different players continue to step up and contribute, Gilroy High’s varsity softball team continues to win.
Wednesday was no different as the Mustangs came back to beat the St. Francis Lancers 8-6 in a non-league contest on the road. It was the seventh-straight victory for Gilroy.
“The girls did not give up at any point of the game,” GHS coach Catherine Hallada said. “They kept hitting until we were ahead and the game was over.”
Freshman Sarah Lira started things off as she has all season, hitting a 3-run home run in the top of the first inning. It was her third home run of the season.
While the newcomer has been steady like a veteran, Lira said she has been just trying to learn from her teammates.
“I’m just glad I have the opportunity to play as a freshman,” Lira said. “I really like playing with everybody. It’s a great team.”
Lira also pitched six innings against the Lancers, but it would take two more frames for Gilroy to pull out the victory.
With the score tied 6-all in the top of the eighth, Emily Castro led off for Gilroy with a single. Melinda Ortiz, who pitched the final two innings, had a sacrifice bunt to move Castro to second. Ashley Serrano then got a base hit that scored Castro.
Lauryn Chris followed with a single that scored Serrano, pushing Gilroy (13-1) to an 8-6 advantage. St. Francis would not score again.
Lira finished 1-4 at the plate, Chris was 3-5, Jasmine Perez went 2-5 and Alyssa Castro was 2-3.
While Gilroy has been rolling, the team is now looking for a little bit of revenge. The only defeat for the Mustangs this season was a 10-0 Mar. 4 loss at home to the Presentation Panthers. The Mustangs will get their grudge match Saturday at 11 a.m. when they face the Panthers in the quarterfinal round of the Circle of Champions tournament being held at the Salinas Sports Complex. If Gilroy wins its first game of the single-elimination tournament, it will then have games that follow throughout the day.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to adjust offensively and I think that will help us defensively,” Hallada said.
“We just need to hit like we’ve been hitting.”
