extra bases
extra bases
Mitty softball claims another Stampede crown after bouncing rival By Chace Bryson | Editor There’s no doubt that the Livermore Stampede has grown into one of the premier high school softball tournaments held in Northern California. But for the past three years, it has seemingly existed only to prove one thing — which perennial softball powerhouse, Sheldon-Sacramento or Archbishop Mitty-San Jose, had the better team. The two teams have made a habit of squaring off in the Stampede championship, with Sheldon winning the most recent showdown in 2010. So it was no surprise that when the two teams met in the semifinals of this year’s tournament, the game carried a championship electricity. Heading into the bottom of the seventh with a 1-0 lead and junior Vanessa Alvarez throwing a one-hitter, Mitty appeared to be on the fast track to avenge the loss from a year ago. A loss that the Monarchs had been chewing on for nearly a year. “They’ve been waiting for this for awhile,” Mitty coach Brian Yocke said of his team. But cruise control would have to wait. Sheldon’s Danielle Henderson opened the inning by drawing a seven-pitch walk. She would then stay on base and watch teammate Alexis Cooper — who was also pitching a gem as Alvarez’s counterpart — battle for 15 pitchers before
shooting No. 16 up the middle for a base hit. Alvarez needed just one pitch to the next batter to get her first out, a flyout to right. But her 0-1 pitch to MeShalon Moore was hit sharply off the glove of shortstop Sylvia Llamas. By the time the ball was corralled, the Huskies had the bases loaded and just one out. “I kept my cool because I trust my defense to the fullest,” Alvarez said. “We play them year after year, and we know them. Basically, we just knew we had to stay calm and know where we’re going with the ball.” And so Alvarez knew just what to do when Nikki Miles hit a ground ball comebacker right to her. She fired right back at catcher Chiara Biagini, who tagged the plate and threw to first for a game-ending 1-2-3 double play . After escaping that, the championship game against Rodriguez-Fairfield probably felt like an exhibition. The Monarchs jumped out a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run single by Dani Pianto, and Alvarez took things from there. She allowed just two hits through the first five innings, and Mitty had a commanding 5-0 lead by the time the Mustangs pushed a run across in the top of the sixth. “Her curve was working really well,” Biagini said of Alvarez. “When she has her outside pitch it really makes her tough.” Rodriguez, which reached the final with a 9-4 dusting of Castro Valley, was kept off balance throughout the game. The
NorCal Softball Top 15
NorCal Baseball Top 15
Records are through April 9. Teams from the
Records are through April 9. Teams from the
Central Section are not considered.
Central Section are not considered.
Rank, team.................................................Record
Rank, team.................................................Record
1. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose...........................11-2
1. St. Francis-Mountain View........................... 17-1.
2. Rodriguez-Fairfield....................................... 13-3
2. Turlock.......................................................... 15-1
3. Johansen-Modesto...................................... 14-0
3. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove............................11-0
4. Sheldon-Sacramento....................................11-2
4. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose...........................11-3
5. San Benito-Hollister....................................... 6-0
5. Elk Grove........................................................ 8-2
6. Amador Valley-Pleasanton............................ 8-3
6. De La Salle-Concord...................................... 9-2
7. Elk Grove...................................................... 13-4
7. Monte Vista-Danville...................................... 8-1
8. Gilroy............................................................. 14-2
8. Alameda.......................................................... 9-1
9 James Logan-Union City................................ 5-1
9. Wilcox-Santa Clara ..................................... 15-3
10. Merrill West-Tracy...................................... 15-0
10. San Ramon Valley-Danville......................... 7-2
11. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove..........................11-5
11. James Logan-Union City........................... 10-1
12. Aptos............................................................. 8-1
12. Amador Valley-Pleasanton.......................... 5-3
13. Pinole Valley-Pinole..................................... 8-1
13. Clayton Valley-Concord............................ 9-1-2
14. Antioch.......................................................... 8-2
14. Granite Bay................................................8-1-1
15. Carondelet-Concord.................................... 9-1
15. San Marin-Novato...................................10-1-1
Chris Scott/CalSportsPhoto.com
Archbishop Mitty-San Jose pitcher Vanessa Alvarez earned tournament MVP honors after giving up just 10 hits and striking out 41 in 30 innings of work at the Livermore Stampede. Mustangs struck out 11 times against Alvarez. The team’s only run didn’t even come on a hit, but as a delayed steal of home by Charlotte Galzote. “It’s just a long tournament,” Rodriguez coach Tracy Cordes said. “We had to battle back in almost every single game and we kind of just ran out at the end. ... (Mitty’s) pitcher had us a little off-balance and we weren’t swinging at the ones we need to and were swinging at the ones above our head. Our girls battled all weekend, though. We would’ve liked first, but we’ll take that second.” Led by Cooper, Sheldon recovered to deliver a 13-1 win over Castro Valley in the third place game. Cooper struck out 10 and delivered a 3-run homer. ✪
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