APTOS — The last time Gavilan and Cabrillo met, the game ended in a one-run decision, 7-6 in favor of the Seahawks, after eight innings. History has a way of repeating itself — though not exactly.
In the regular season finale, the Rams clinched their first Coast Conference South Division championship in over 30 years with a 1-0 victory in eight innings over Cabrillo on Tuesday.
“It’s a huge win for not just them, but for the college as well,” Gavilan coach Nikki Dequin said. “These girls deserve it. They’re just all talented young ladies and they’re all leaders. They’re just incredible, fun to watch and great to coach.”
Gavilan’s lone run came in the top of the eighth after Tori Lobato hit a single to start things off. Cristyn Simpson was put in to pinch run for Lobato and stole second before advancing to third on a Samantha Ribeiro bunt. Priscilla Orona brought her home with a base hit for the winning run. The Rams totaled just five hits in the game, with two coming in the inning when it counted the most.
The Rams knew claiming the crown would be no easy feat, but Dequin told her team to treat this like any other game. Keeping their composure and trusting themselves would be key, she said, and that advice paid off especially when they faced a no-out, bases loaded situation in the bottom of the seventh. Gavilan has been playing impeccable defense as of late and this was no different as it backed up its ace, Paige Miguel, to escape the inning unscathed.
“Defensively, we’ve been diving for balls and really, truly they’re at their peak now,” Dequin said. “We’ve battled through the toughest situations as a team and I think they’ve proved to themselves that they can do anything if they keep working and keep hustling and just get back up when they get knocked down or make a mistake.”
The win was Miguel’s 21st of the season. She struck out six while allowing five hits over eight innings of work.
Gavilan will receive the details of its first playoff game and it will most likely be at home in the first weekend in May.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there and seeing how far we can take this,” Dequin said.
