Gavilan edges Hartnell, holds on to second place in Coast
Conference – South
Gilroy
Gavilan starting pitcher Danielle Hernandez wasn’t perfect – allowing seven hits over seven innings – but when it mattered, she was.
Hernandez threw a complete-game shutout against visiting Hartnell in Gilroy Thursday, and preserved a 1-0 Gavilan win after she struck out Natasha Sinkler in the top of the seventh with the tying run at second base.
“She pitched a great game today … It was a great way to finish the game with a strikeout,” manager Nikki Dequin said. “She was trying to go inside on the last batter. She kept working at the corner and she got her.”
The Rams improve to 13-9 in the Coast Conference – South, and distance themselves from Hartnell, which entered the game tied for third place with Cabrillo. Only the top two teams in the conference earn automatic bids for the playoffs.
Gavilan held a one-game lead on Hartnell and Cabrillo entering the contest. Cabrillo hosted West Valley Thursday.
“This game was huge for us,” Dequin said. “It keeps us in second place and that’s an automatic berth into the playoffs.”
The Rams plated the lone run of the game came in the third inning, when they capitalized on a pair of walks and the quick feet of Julie Broyer (2-for-2), who had three stolen bases in the game.
Broyer scored on a wild pitch from third base that supplied the Rams with what turned out to be the game-winner.
“The girls played well. They were in it today,” Dequin said. “All the stuff we’ve been working on this year carried over (to today) and it showed.”
The defense especially stood out for Gavilan, as Hartnell recorded seven hits but left 10 runners on base, six in scoring position, and failed to score a run.
The Panthers left the bases loaded in the second inning and had runners on first and second in the seventh.
But perhaps their best chance came in the sixth inning, when Hartnell put runners on the corners with no one out. Panther Nicole Grummons laid down a bunt for an attempted suicide squeeze, but Rams catcher Alicia Reese managed to retrieve the dribbler and tag Sinkler out at home.
“Dani was on her game today and her defense backed her up,” Dequin said.
The Rams had five hits, with singles coming from Reese, Mikhaela Osuna and Amanda Rosevear. Grummons threw six innings for Hartnell, striking out three while walking two.
Hernandez also stuck out three and walked two.
Gavilan will wrap up the regular season against San Jose City at West Valley College Tuesday at 3 p.m.
HRT 000 000 0 – 0 7 1
GAV 001 000 X – 1 5 0
