High school softball: A wild turn of events between Central and Clovis in the semifinals
The Central Section high school softball championships are set.
But not before Central and Clovis softball teams made it exciting for those who attended Tuesday afternoon.
Clovis rallied in the seventh inning with three runs to take a 4-3 lead, but the Grizzlies weren’t done.
Central answered with two runs, capped by Kendra Hodges’ run-scoring, walk-off single that gave the Grizzlies a 5-4 victory.
The win sends the Grizzlies back to the Division I championship at Margie Wright Diamond.
Central will face Bullard in the title game. The Knights defeated Stockdale 5-2.
Both teams will meet at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Clovis had taken a 4-3 lead when Grace Carpenter drove in Celeste Wyman. Earlier, Wyman had a two-run triple that tied the game.
Central’s Mia Traylor didn’t surrender another run that gave the Grizzlies a chance in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Grizzlies lost to Clovis 2-0 in the 2022 Division I final.
Division II
No. 4 Madera powered past top-seed St. Joseph behind Bri Hamilton’s three-run home run.
The Coyotes will face No. 10 Frontier for the title game.
Division III
Top-seed Fowler held on for a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Taft.
Alexis Alvarado had a solo home run for the Redcats, who will face No. 15 Reedley in the championship game.
The 15th-seeded Pirates defeated No. 3 Wasco 5-3 in eight innings.
Reedley scored twice in the eighth inning.
Sierra Hallum had two RBI and Avana Urbieta and Kristyn Gordon also drove in a run.
Division IV
Top-seeded Orange Cove routed No. 5 Caruthers 13-3.
Titans pitcher Mia Castillo pitched six innings and struck out six.
Anahi Castillo and Madeline Powers each had a home run and drove in three runs.
Orange Cove will face No. 7 Mission Prep for the championship.
Division V
No. 12 Dos Palos upset No. 1 Woodlake 2-1.
Liliana Coronado and Ashlee Maldonado each drove in a run for a 2-0 lead.
Breann Raney pitched a three-hitter and struck out seven for the Broncos.
Dos Palos will face No. 2 Boron.
Division VI
Top-seed Riverdale lost to No. 4 South 10-1.
South will play No. 3 Orcutt Academy in the title game.
Scores/schedule
Softball
Division I
No. 5 Bullard 5, No. 8 Stockdale 2
No. 2 Central 5, No. 3 Clovis 4
Division II
No. 4 Madera 9, No. 1 St. Joseph 1
No. 10 Frontier 6, No. 6 Sanger 5
Division III
No. 1 Fowler 2, No. 4 Taft 1
No. 15 Reedley 5, No. 3 Wasco 3
Division IV
No. 1 Orange Cove 13, No. 5 Caruthers 3
No. 7 Mission Prep 6. No. 3 McLane 4, 10 inn
Division V
No. 12 Dos Palos 2, No. 1 Woodlake 1
No. 2 Boron 3, No. 3 Washington Union 1
Division VI
No. 4 South 10. No. 1 Riverdale 1
No. 3 Orcutt Academy 14, No. 10 Mendota 4
Championship
At Margie Wright Diamond at Fresno State
Friday
Division VI
No. 3 Orcutt Academy vs. No. 4 South, 4:30 p.m.
Division II
No. 4 Madera vs. No. 10 Frontier, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Division V
No. 2 Boron vs. No. 12 Dos Palos, 11 a.m.
Division IV
No. 1 Orange Cove vs. No. 7 Mission Prep, 1:30 p.m.
Division III
No. 1 Fowler vs. No. 15 Reedley, 4:30 p.m.
Division I
No. 2 Central vs. No. 5 Bullard, 7 p.m.
