The Bulldogs get big hits to douse undefeated Lodi as the Wolf Pack secure a softball playoff spot and move into second place.
The Tracy High softball team needed some big hits in the sixth inning tonight after the Lodi Flames took a 2-0 lead.
The Bulldogs got the first one when Samantha Fisher slammed the ball to the left-field fence to drive in pinch-runner Beth Worthington. They got another when Stephanie Leles singled to drive in Fisher.
But getting the winning run wasn’t going to be easy. Lodi pitcher Tori Shepard threw 15 strikeouts, including five Tracy batters in a row, as the game went into extra innings.
Shepard had two strikes on Tracy power hitter Nikki Moreno and delivered another to the inside of the plate.
Moreno sent it sailing over the left-field fence.
Her 12th home run of the season ended the game with a 3-2 win for Tracy.
It was just the type of hit Moreno wanted for her last home game as a Tracy senior, but she had to look hard for the right pitch.
“All of my (at-bats) were kind of shaky,” she said afterward.
She got a single, flew out to second and got on base through an infield error. Moreno said she didn’t see any pitches she liked until Shepard delivered the home-run ball.
“I came up, took a deep breath and stretched my swing,” Moreno said.
Tracy’s defense also did its part when Lodi pinch-hitter Jenae Reich slammed a double to deep center to lead off the seventh inning. Tracy center-fielder Eleni Leles chased down the ball and turned to see Reich rounding second. She fired the ball back to her sister, Stephanie Leles, at shortstop, who threw to Katie Stutz in time to make the tag as Reich slid into third base.
Tracy already had one of the San Joaquin Athletic League’s three playoff spots sealed up going into today's game. Lodi’s first league loss puts the Flames at 8-1 in the SJAA, and 7-2 Tracy could take a share of the league title, depending on the outcome of Thursday’s games. Lodi plays at Lincoln, and Tracy plays at Franklin.
West 5, Tokay 0
The Wolf Pack clinched a spot in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs with a 5-0 win at Tokay.
The Wolf Pack and Tigers were tied with 6-2 records for second-place going into today's game. The win puts West alone in second at 7-2 in the Tri-City Athletic League, with one more game against first-place St. Mary’s (8-0 TCAL) on Thursday.
“We plan on being 8-2,” coach Steve Anastasio said after today’s contest. “We’re going in there to win.”
The win against Tokay gives West the momentum it needs going into its final home game Thursday. The Pack lost 3-2 to the Tigers on April 17 at home, but today's win gives West more total runs in their two head-to-head games — and the advantage if the two teams tie for second in league.
West started strong today when leadoff batter Elida Rubio singled and advanced on a bunt from Gina West, who ended up safe at first. Both scored on Caitlyn Girard’s single to right field.
The Pack scored again in the second when Ashley Cox singled and pinch-runner Shannon Manchester advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Rubio batted in Manchester, advanced on an error and came home on Jamie Costa’s sacrifice fly.
West scored once more when Costa hit a ground ball to second with Arianna Welch on third base with two out. Costa ran out the play and was safe at first when the Tokay first baseman dropped the ball.
(S) Tracy 12, Lodi 0
It was another big game today for Stephanie Fisher, who pitched seven innings and gave up three runs, then came up to hit three home runs and drive in seven Bullpups baserunners. The win clinches the SJAA title for Tracy, which is 9-0 in league play and 15-2 overall. Natalya Motyka got two hits, including a triple, and drove in two. Tee Gilbert and Maria Taloa also drove in runs.
(S) West 12, Tokay 0
The West sophomores clinched the TCAL title today with a win at Tokay that put the Pack at 9-0 in league and 20-3 overall.
Pitcher Andi Anderson gave up three hits and struck out 12 and also contributed two hits and an RBI. Madisen Hargraves also got two hits, including a double; Tracy Wentz drove in three runs with a double; and Lindsey Jorgensen drove in a run with a triple. West also took advantage of 15 walks.
(F) Tracy 7, Oakdale 1
Taylor Martinez allowed one hit as the Tracy freshman team took another win at home Monday for a 21-2-1 record. Ali Stuart went 2-for-3 and drove in two, and Jasmin Guevara also drove in two. Others who got base hits were and Brianna Aldridge and Sara Pombo, who stole bases and scored two runs as well.
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