May 14, 2016
HEARTBREAKER!
The DVC softball team gave No. 2 seed Fresno City a tremendous battle, but the Rams prevailed 8-5 on a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning in Friday's first round of the CCCAA Northern Super Regionals.
The seventh-seeded Vikings showed their resolve against State Pitcher of the Year Sarah Santana, rallying twice to throw a scare in the host team.
After the Rams (38-5) hit three home runs to take a 3-0 lead, the Vikings' hot-hitting Bailey Simmons, a Pinole Valley High graduate, hit a two-run single to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Fresno increased the lead to 4-2, but DVC (28-15-1) jolted the Rams with three in the top of the seventh to lead 5-4. Natalie Larsen had a two-out bases loaded single to right to put DVC ahead.
But in the bottom of the seventh, the Rams got a leadoff single against DVC All-State pitcher Nicole Nordahl. The Vikings made an infield error on a sacrifice bunt. After a groundout put runners at second and third, DVC walked the Rams' No. 4 hitter. Then Renee Ortega crushed a grand slam over the fence and over a tennis court.
"We had two great comebacks," DVC coach Dennis Luquet said. "We didn't give up. We battled. We got more hits than them, but they got four homers. That's usually the difference, you know."
Fresno made some big plays when it needed them. With two outs and the bases loaded, Fresno's second baseman made a diving grab and a throw to first base from her knees to get Ciara Whitesell.
"Just a big-time play," Luquet said. "You're like, 'yeah, that's why they're the No. 2 seed.' They can hit, but they also play good defense too. That was the State Pitcher of the Year that we had a chance to beat."
DVC will continue in the double-elimination tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday against the San Jose Jaguars.
The seventh-seeded Vikings showed their resolve against State Pitcher of the Year Sarah Santana, rallying twice to throw a scare in the host team.
After the Rams (38-5) hit three home runs to take a 3-0 lead, the Vikings' hot-hitting Bailey Simmons, a Pinole Valley High graduate, hit a two-run single to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Fresno increased the lead to 4-2, but DVC (28-15-1) jolted the Rams with three in the top of the seventh to lead 5-4. Natalie Larsen had a two-out bases loaded single to right to put DVC ahead.
But in the bottom of the seventh, the Rams got a leadoff single against DVC All-State pitcher Nicole Nordahl. The Vikings made an infield error on a sacrifice bunt. After a groundout put runners at second and third, DVC walked the Rams' No. 4 hitter. Then Renee Ortega crushed a grand slam over the fence and over a tennis court.
"We had two great comebacks," DVC coach Dennis Luquet said. "We didn't give up. We battled. We got more hits than them, but they got four homers. That's usually the difference, you know."
Fresno made some big plays when it needed them. With two outs and the bases loaded, Fresno's second baseman made a diving grab and a throw to first base from her knees to get Ciara Whitesell.
"Just a big-time play," Luquet said. "You're like, 'yeah, that's why they're the No. 2 seed.' They can hit, but they also play good defense too. That was the State Pitcher of the Year that we had a chance to beat."
DVC will continue in the double-elimination tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday against the San Jose Jaguars.
Fresno will face the Sacramento City College Panthers at noon on Saturday, with that games winner advancing to Sunday's championship game that requires them to be beat two games in a row, with them needing a single victory to advance to Bakersfield.