When two of the best softball teams in the Central Coast Section
get together, one can expect runs to be precious and the game
coming down to whichever team makes the first mistake.
When two of the best softball teams in the Central Coast Section get together, one can expect runs to be precious and the game coming down to whichever team makes the first mistake.
Such was the case when Notre Dame, ranked second in CCS, called on fifth-ranked Hollister High on Thursday.
As advertised, the nip-and-tuck vise-gripper came down to a chink in the armor in the ninth inning and it was the Spirits who capitalized with a 1-0 Tri-County Athletic League sweat job, which was ironic in itself considering the chill factor weather.
The Balers, who proudly went toe-to-toe, pitch-for-pitch with the 17th-ranked team in the state (preseason), committed a throwing error on a sacrifice attempt by TerriAnne Coaogan with the Spirits Melissa Pura on at second. Pura, who would have been at third with one out, came home for the game’s only run.
Hollister (10-4, 3-2) rallied in the bottom of the ninth and actually had the winning on at second base, but Spirits starter Kim Reeder (7-1), just a sophomore with impressive stuff, closed the door.
Julie Broyer began the inning with a walk, but was caught trying to steal second on an extremely close play. Spirits catcher Jessica Flores fielded Reeder’s pitch on a bounce and made a strong throw to Notre Dame shortstop Amy Tompkins. Tompkins had to go find Broyer, who did a skillful job of a head-first hook slide.
“Their catcher hadn’t thrown down to second base all game,” said Baler head coach Scott Smith as to why he sent Broyer. “I thought it was worth the risk. If I had to do it all over again, I’d do the same thing.”
That play proved huge when the Balers Jenny Maheu cranked a 1-2 triple to center field, which meant the Balers had the tying run at third with one out. Nashia Alvarez bounded one over Reeder’s head and towards the left of second base.
Mahe chose not to break for the plate as Tompkins, who made several fine defensive plays during the game, fielded Alvarez’ ball cleanly. No play was made as Alvarez was safe at first with a base hit.
“I wasn’t going to take a chance scoring. Not with our two best hitters coming up,” said Maheu.
J.T. Temperino pinch-ran for Alvarez and stole second. However, Reeder bowed the neck to retire the 3-4 hitters in the Balers’ lineup and the Spirits (7-2, 3-1) had pocketed an important victory.
“I expected this kind of game,” said Spirits coach Joe Given. “Both teams played extremely well. Credit Maheu for tripling in that last inning to bring up their best hitters, but Reeder did a great job of getting out of the jam. She was a workhorse.”
This game was intertwined with scoring chances, great pitching and timely defensive plays by both sides.
The Spirits nearly struck in the top of the first when Lindsay Schutzler, ticketed for Tennessee, singled past Baler third baseman Megan Smith. Serena Benavente sac bunted, then Tompkins singled to left to put runners on at first and third. Tompkins swiped second, but Baler starter Dani Hernandez got the next two hitters to strike out and pop up.
In the second inning, Reeder singled and made it around to third with two out. Flores hit a low liner which Baler shortstop Kim Dabo dove to her left and made a nice catch an inch off the ground.
If there was an inning Hollister would rue, it would be the bottom of the third. Megan Smith crunched a drive over Crissy Whitcher’s head on left for a triple to start the frame. Broyer’s bunt attempt popped up in the air to the right of home plate in foul territory and was caught by Flores, who made a diving grab.
Maheu then grounded one to the right of Tompkins as Smith held at third. Tompkins’ throw to first was very high, but Pura, a fine volleyball player, made the play of the game when she leapt for the catch, coming down with a hard tag on Maheu for the out. Smith was officially stranded when Reeder induced another grounder to the sure-handed Tompkins.
The Spirits almost pushed a run across in the top of the seventh, but Shelbi Dillon tracked down a drive to right by Whitcher to keep the game temporarily tied.
“We played well today,” said Scott Smith. “The error killed us. That’s the way these games go. A mistake can cost you the game. Dani Hernandez pitched great for us today.”
“We played hard,” added Megan Smith, who had the triple and a single, not bad for a sophomore. “We’ll get them the next time.”
Next time is at Notre Dame on April 28.
Baler bits: The Balers play their only night game of the year when they meet Live Oak next Wednesday at the new Hollister Heat field at Vet’s Park. First pitch is 6:30 p.m. – Hernandez pitched the first seven innings, Alyssa Baker (5-2) the final two. – Junior Hillary Williams, who would have been the starting third baseman for the Balers, will have knee surgery in two weeks and is lost for the season.
Notre Dame 000 000 001 – 1 7 0
Hollister 000 000 000 – 0 5 1
Reeder and Flores; Hernandez, Baker (7) and Baxter. WP-Reeder (7-1). LP-Baker (5-2). 3B – Maheu, Smith (H). 2 hits – Schutzler, Reeder (ND); Smith (H).
