Hollister softballers ousted after rally falls short in 7th
Johnson City, Tenn. – It was an admirable comeback. But in the end, it wasn’t enough.
Facing elimination from the 14U Class A National Softball Championships, the Hollister Heat mounted a two-out rally in the seventh inning to put the go-ahead run on base Friday night. But Team Georgia snagged a shot to second base and just like that, the Heat’s season was over.
“It’s hard to know that you’re close enough to do it, but you don’t quite get through,” said Heat shortstop Jacqueline Clayton, whose hard line drive was caught to end the game. “It’s how the game goes.”
After being shut out through six innings, the Heat scored twice in the seventh and had two other runners on base, but eventually succumbed, 3-2.
Hollister’s ballplayers won twice on Thursday to advance in the 112-team field, but a 9-1 loss to the San Diego Thunder earlier Friday put them in a win-or-go-home situation. Unfortunately for the Heat, their bats didn’t show up as the potent force they normally are.
“Seven runs in four games,” lamented manager Darrell Clayton. “It’s tough to win when only scoring a couple of runs a game.”
With their season on the line, the Heat mounted a two-out rally they hoped would be enough. Catcher Kourtney Kientzy and designated player Kiley Mendez drew walks, and then Team Georgia committed an infield error that allowed Kientzy to score, pulling the Heat within 3-1. Heat right fielder Chelsea Freitas delivered a clutch knock up the middle to drive in Mendez, bringing Jacqueline Clayton to the plate.
After battling to a full count, the Hollister shortstop connected on a shot that nearly found the outfield grass to even the game. But on this night, it wasn’t to be for the Heat.
“A couple of inches one way or the other, we tie it up and who knows what happens?” Clayton, the team’s manager said. “It’s a never-give-up attitude. … They left it all out on the field and, as a coach or manager, that’s what you want.”
Team Georgia scored twice in the third and then pushed its lead to 3-0 with a solo run in the fourth.
Hollister pitcher Marisa Ibarra notched a complete game, allowing just five hits.
The Heat advanced to the Nationals with an undefeated run through the NorCal J.O. Championships in June, defeating the Salinas Storm to punch its ticket east.
After splitting two games of pool play to start the week, the team beat the Virginia Legends 1-0 on Wednesday and then survived another one-run affair to down the Parker (Tenn.) Eagles 3-2 on Thursday.
Heat players Jacqueline Clayton, Fata, Freitas, Marisa Ibarra, Kientzy, Mary Luna and Sarah Solis all played for the teams that went to Nationals in 2004 and 2005.
“They’ve done a lot for the amount of ball and age they’re at,” Darrell Clayton said.
Despite heading home earlier than they would’ve liked, the Heat left the field with their heads held high.
“I think the way we ended it was good because of the intensity of the last game,” Ibarra said. “We would’ve loved to keep playing, but … we went down fighting.”
