Tracy Press

 
Lady Bulldogs battled the heat but lost Saturday to Davis High in softball.

Tracy pitcher Morgan Hayes and second baseman Samantha Balanon in the first round Sac-Joaquin Section playoff game Saturday against Grace Davis High of Modesto. Bob Brownne/Tracy Press

Davis pitcher Desiree Maldonado held the Lady Bulldogs hitless for five innings until Tracy first baseman Jessica Riconscente hit one over the right field fence for a solo homer to lead off the sixth inning for Tracy.

Tracy started to come back in the top of the seventh with two outs after Melissa Turney walked and Samantha Balanon, with two strikes and a few more foul balls, outran the throw to first on a short infield grounder.

“After I heard the ball hit the bat, I just ran,” Balanon said. “There was a lot of pressure, but I had to make it work for my team.”

The Bulldogs didn’t advance any further after pitcher Morgan Hayes hit a grounder, which resulted in the force-out on Turney at third base.

Tracy coach Greg Smith gave his team credit for their effort in the last two innings, and said the Tracy team was never intimidated by the Spartans’ lead.

“We didn’t give up, and I’m proud of the girls for that,” he said.

Riconscente said that even with a loss, the Bulldogs made Davis work for the first-round win.

“It’s a good way to end the season. I just wanted to help out with some runs,” she said.

Davis took advantage of its opportunities. In the second inning the Spartans loaded the bases on a walk, a single and a fielder’s choice. Davis catcher Monica Silva followed with a hit down the left field line to drive in two before Tracy’s infielders closed the inning.

Davis got two runners on base in the fifth with one out and brought one in on a sacrifice grounder to the infield.

Davis coach Tamara Wilkinson said her team knew going into Saturday’s first round that the timely hits with runners on base would be the difference against Tracy.

“We’ve been battling through the heat all week to get ready,” she said.

• We want to hear what you have to say. To reach Sports Editor Bob Brownne call 830-4227 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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