Tracy Press

Two teams of Pumas hang tough in a Sacramento tourney.

Rebekah Bonds of the under-11 Pumas goes toward the goal in the weekend’s California Cup tournament in Sacramento. Courtesy photo.

The Junior Pumas beat the Thunderbolts 10-1 in their first game. Leyla Pepic and Jenna Zuniga each scored three goals, and Faith Chavez, Jocelyn Reyes, Airyana Verdugo and Brittini Edwards each scored one.

In the second game, the Junior Pumas beat Ajax, 5-2. Zuniga scored twice, and Reyes, Chavez and Verdugo each had a goal. Jasmine Loaiza and Alexa Mayen provided solid support in the midfield.

In the semifinal match, the Junior Pumas beat Santa Clara Sporting, 1-0, with a goal by Zuniga.

In the final game against the San Juan Spirits, the Junior Pumas controlled the game but failed to score against host San Juan, which won 1-0.

The team’s defense, led by Yolanda Tavares and Cindy Alvarez, would not let San Juan get a shot on goal, but San Juan got its opportunity through penalty kicks.

Goalie Marcela Salyer stopped 24 shots on goal in the four games.

The Tracy Velocity under-11 Pumas started their tournament with a 2-1 win against Lamorinda, with goals from Selia Torres and Isabella Cardenas. Janis Rivera and Carsyn Hoogendoorn controlled the middle of the field.

The Pumas beat the Central Valley Mercury, 1-0, with a goal at the end of the game from Tiffani Edwards. Emily Herrera and Iris Cruz played tough in the middle.

San Juan, ranked ninth in Northern California, tied the Pumas 0-0, and the contest went into penalty kicks. Rebekah Bonds, Edwards and Cardenas put their penalty kicks in the net, and Samantha Silva stopped four shots to advance her team to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, the Pumas’ Mariah Jeffery, Mariam Garibay, Jasmine Basuil and Kyra Bristow played tough defense against No. 2 Santa Clara Sporting in a 2-0 loss. 

Taylor Boren played goalie in all four games, with two shutouts to her name.  

Rebels take 2nd in Modesto softball tourney

Tracy’s Runnin’ Rebels 12-and-under girls fastpitch softball team finished second out of 12 teams in the National Softball Association’s Rockin’ Softball tournament Saturday and Sunday at Rainbow Fields in Modesto.

The Rebels went 4-1 for the tournament and were on a nine-game winning streak going into the championship game against the 12-and-under Stingers, who won 4-0.

The Rebels gave up six runs in five games, none earned, and catcher Baylee Hirtel threw out base runners on five of seven steal attempts.

Hirtel also had five hits, four RBIs and three runs scored in the tournament to lead her team’s scoring. Others contributing to the Rebels scores were Moriah Moore, four hits, three runs and an RBI; Tori Mata, three hits, five runs and an RBI; L.T. Torrez, three hits, two runs and two RBIs; Lauren Watanabe, two hits, two runs and an RBI; Marissa Murphy, two hits, three runs and four RBIs; Gianna Lenoci, two hits and a run; Kylie Flores, two hits and two runs; Jamee Martinez, a hit, three runs and two RBIs; Taylor Yray, a hit and an RBI; and Arianna Montiel, one hit.

Express All-Stars shine in Sacramento

The Tracy Express 10-and-under All-Stars took second place in the Sparklin’ Sun Tournament in Sacramento this weekend.

The All-Stars started with a 9-3 victory over the East Bay Vipers. Madison Ledda led off with a triple, and Rachel Robison hit a home run. Zoe Gaviola, Alee Balanon and Jillian Bessette all hit triples, and Jessica Brakee and Tahnee Trew also got base hits. Michelle Hagelston pitched for the Tracy All-Stars.

Their second game was a loss against the Bears. Daesha Brown made solid plays on defense that game.

The All-Stars fought back with a 13-1 victory over the Redding Rebels. Balanon threw a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts. Brakkee hit a home run, and Hagelston hit a bases-loaded homer. Robison hit a double, and Taylor Burns drove in a run.

The All-Stars played the East Bay Vipers in the semifinal game. Tracy started the game with home runs by Madison Ledda and Gaviola. Brady Victoria, Robison, Trew and Hagelston all got base hits.

In the top of the fourth, Tracy was down by one run, with two outs and two on base when Bessette hit a single to center field to score two runs.

The Vipers fought back, but Lyndsee Cracraft fielded a grounder and threw to Robison, who made a stretch at first to end the game.

The All-Stars played the No. 1 Bears for the championship, and the Bears won 9-0. The Tracy All-Stars head to Fremont next weekend.

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