Back-to-back RBI doubles in the sixth inning gave the Gavilan
College women’s softball team and starting pitcher Melinda Ortiz
plenty of cushion in a 2-0 victory over Monterey Peninsula College
in Coast Conference South action on Thursday in Gilroy.
GILROY
Back-to-back RBI doubles in the sixth inning gave the Gavilan College women’s softball team and starting pitcher Melinda Ortiz plenty of cushion in a 2-0 victory over Monterey Peninsula College in Coast Conference South action on Thursday in Gilroy.
Engaged in a pitcher’s dual, the Rams came to bat in the bottom of the sixth with the score tied 0-0 — the perfect time for a rally.
Nikki Lobato opened the frame with a single. Pinch runner Ellen Pearce promptly stole second base and Amanda Ross drove her home one batter later with a line-drive double to the left-center field gap. Ashley Sandoval, who was 2 of 3 on the day, followed Ross’ example by smacking her own RBI double to plate Ross.
“We are fighting for a Coast Conference championship,” manager Nikki Dequin said. “These games are extremely important to us.”
The Rams (20-11, 9-2) are currently in second place behind defending conference champion San Jose City, a team the Rams will play in the final regular-season home game next Wednesday.
Ortiz capped her complete-game performance with a clean three-up-three-down top of the seventh to record the win. The sophomore kept her team in the game, thwarting a Lobos’ scoring threat in the sixth inning when she stranded a runner on third by forcing two routine pop outs.
“I knew that if I kept hitting my spot they would either get jammed or my defense would help me out and get out of it,” Ortiz said.
Adding some more flavor to the game were the 100-plus girls from local elementary schools El Roble, Glen View and Rod Kelley who were in attendance as part of the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative’s Game Day Initiative. The girls were cheering and supporting the Rams throughout the contest.
