Gilroy High scored nine runs in its Central Coast Section Division II first round game Wednesday. With the way freshman Lauren Castro pitched in the Mustangs’ quarterfinals matchup with Los Altos on Saturday night, one would’ve been plenty.
As it were, the No. 12 Mustangs (14-13) toppled the No. 4 Eagles (24-5) 3-0, to advance into the semifinals, where they will face top-seeded Mitty on Thursday night.
Castro seemed to get stronger as Saturday’s tilt grew to the later innings, finishing with seven strikeouts.
Nicole Green’s triple to lead off the third inning set up the Mustangs for their first run, which came via a Celeste Mendoza sacrifice fly.
GHS sent seven hitters to the plate in the sixth an d tacked on a pair of insurance runs courtesy of a Kaylana Mah RBI single and an Amber Gamboa sacrifice fly. The 3-0 cushion proved more than sufficient.
Mitty easily handed No. 8 Presentation, 10-0, in its quarterfinal game.
Thursday’s semifinal is slated for a 7 p.m. start at PAL Stadium in San Jose.
TRACK AND FIELD
Five locals extended their track and field seasons after their performances at Saturday’s CCS Trials at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex.
Gilroy High’s Samantha Una Dia, Sarina Sandoval, Luis Magana and Jourdan Soares, as well ad Christopher High’s Ally Foster, advanced to Friday’s section finals in search of a CCS title and state meet berth.
Una Dia recorded a season best 15.57 second race in the 100-meter hurdles, qualifying as the sixth seed. She is closing in on the GHS record, owned by older sister, Sara Una Dia, needing to shave .24 seconds off her current time to set the new mark.
Soares finished first in his 100 (10.83 – a season best) and 200 (21.81) and is the No. 2 qualifier in both.
Magana was one of six in the pole vault to clear 13-feet-6 inches and punched his ticket to Friday’s proceedings.
Sandoval posted the second-longest throw of the day in the shot put with a 39-04.
Foster won her 300-hurdles heat in a school-record time of 46.67. It was the third-fastest time of the day.
Friday’s finals will start at 4 p.m. with the field events and 6 p.m. on the track.
