Roundup: Central Catholic baseball, Big Valley softball earn NorCal first-round wins
Central Catholic baseball coach Danny Ayala called it an “all-around good effort” after Adrian Garcia pitched a shutout and the Raiders put up 12 runs in five innings to take the opening game of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Northern California Regional Playoffs.
The Raiders, ranked second in the D-III NorCal bracket, rebounded from their section championship loss to Oakmont with eight total hits, two extra-base hits, four stolen bases and just one error in the impressive 12-0 outing against Atascadero. The Raiders could see Oakmont again in the NorCal title game if both teams win in the regional semifinals. The Vikings are the top team in the bracket.
“Our boys have been there before,” Ayala said of bouncing back after the loss to Oakmont on Thursday. “That setback was a gut punch in the section title game. … They came out and I felt like we played a really good baseball game. Base running was special, approaches were good, played sound defense. It was on all cylinders.”
TP Wentworth recorded two hits, including a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to drive in the Raiders’ final runs of the game. Fernando Alaniz added a pair of hits. Wesley Payne drove in two runs. Seth Van Dyk recorded the Raiders’ other extra-base hit, lining an RBI double to center field.
In total, six players were responsible for the team’s eight hits, seven players recorded at least one RBI and the team drew seven total walks. The Raiders put up nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to break the game open.
“You don’t put up 12 runs without it being a well-rounded game,” Ayala said. “Top to bottom, everybody contributed, a lot of really clutch hits and scoring runs with two outs. That’s a big deal in championship baseball.”
Garcia earned his seventh overall win and third shutout this season. The senior struck out six batters in the outing and gave up only two hits.
“He had a really good bullpen session. He’s as tough a competitor as you’ll find,” Ayala said. “When you turn the ball over to him, there’s no doubt he’s going to compete on a different level. His stuff was really good today.”
The Raiders have a quick turnaround, hosting No. 6 Justin-Siena of Napa on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The Braves upset third-seed King’s Academy and travel to Modesto a day early because their graduation is Thursday.
Big Valley Christian wins 5-0 in D-V softball NorCal Opener
After taking home its second Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII title May 18, the Big Valley Christian (22-6-1) softball team showed no signs of rust after about a week and a half without games. The Lions earned the top seed in the D-V NorCal bracket and beat Oakland High 5-0 Tuesday afternoon.
Senior pitcher Ava Hernandez earned the complete game shutout and struck out 15 batters. Big Valley was held scoreless in each inning but two, and the players made the most of their opportunities. In the bottom of the fourth inning, sophomore Kailey Rivera hit a solo home run to center field to put her team ahead 1-0. The Lions added insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Hernandez and Emily Avila recorded an RBI apiece and Morgan Merzon and Madyx Mitchell scored on an error.
The Lions host Leigh of San Jose (12-14) Thursday at 4 p.m. for a chance to advance to their second NorCal championship in three seasons. Big Valley in 2022 won the Stanislaus District’s first ever softball NorCal title.
Oakdale plays in third straight one-run game, falls 1-0
Just days after winning the program’s first section title since 2019 and securing a spot in Oakdale’s first ever NorCal playoffs, Raegen Everett, Presley Barnes and the Mustangs (22-7) found themselves in their third straight one-run game. After going to extras in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinals against Manteca and championship against Capital Christian and winning, they couldn’t pull one more clutch win out of the hat, falling on the road to Willow Glen on the road, 1-0.
Oakdale was handed the No. 6 seed in the Division II NorCal bracket and forced to travel to San Jose to play the No. 3 Rams (23-7), who were Central Coast Section Open Division semifinalists. Sophomore Briley Everett went 2-for-2 and junior Jaelyn Lee and sophomore Audrey Romiti each added a hit. All of Oakdale’s hits were singles. Reagen Everett pitched the full game, striking out three batters.
The Mustangs put the ball in play, striking out just five times as a team, but could not bring a run home. They got two runners on in the top of the seventh inning with two outs, but were unable to extend the game. Oakdale’s season ends with a 22-7 record.
