Williams, Vaqueros sweep into D3 final

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 25, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

CIF – SDS PLAYOFFS

DIVISION III

SEMIFINALS

AT POWAY SPORTSPLEX

#9 EL CAPITAN 7, #3 MISSION HILLS 6

A late six run rally by the El Capitan Vaqueros capped by a two out RBI single by Alexa Williams (2-4, R, RBI) stuns the Mission Hills Grizzlies.

However early on the Grizzlies looked like they were going to run away with the contest as they put a six spot in the bottom of the first inning highlighted by a three run homerun by Ariel Lopez.

The offense for the Vaqueros could only muster three hits heading to the sixth inning led by two singles by Bailey Olaveson (2-2, R).

That all changed though as Olivia Martinez (2R, RBI) led off the sixth with a walk, Kim Garcia laid down a sacrifice advancing Martinez to second, she advanced to third on a sacrifice fly. With two outs Katy Hicks (2-2, R, 2 RBI) laced a single to center that scored Martinez to make it 6-1.

The momentum for the Vaqueros continued into the seventh inning as Williams singled followed by a walk by Olaveson, a couple batters later with one out Kylie Mead singled to load the bases, Brooklyn Fukushima into run, Martinez followed with a walk to score Williams which made it 6-2, Garcia followed with an RBI groundout to cut the Grizzlies lead in half 6-3.

Down to their final out and facing elimination the Vaqueros needed more and they got it as Fukushima scored on a passed ball to make it 6-4, Madisyn Wieher walked, Hicks singled which scored Martinez to make it 6-5. With the momentum all on their side and the Vaqueros faithful cheering loudly Hannah Davis stepped up and roped a single to score Wieher and tie the game at 6-6.

Leading 7-6 the Vaqueros knew they were on the verge of victory. Despite the lead batter reaching on an error, Mead was able to retire the next three batters to end the game and send the Grizzlies home for the season.

Mead went all 7 innings giving up 6 runs on 9 hits while walking 1 and striking out 8 for the victory.

#9 EL CAPITAN 5, #2 CENTRAL UNION 4 (8 INNINGS)

With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth innings Katy Hicks (1-3, RBI) of the El Capitan Vaqueros (19-10-1) lined the walk-off RBI single to right field scoring Kim Garcia (1-2, R).

Things early on were going the way of the Central Union Spartans as they would score in the top of the second innings on a single by Jewellea Rodriguez to make it 1-0. They would take a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a Janyssa Martin base hit.

El Capitan would scratch back and actually take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Vaqueros got started with a leadoff solo jack by Alexa Williams (2-4, R, RBI, HR) to make it 2-1, a couple batters later with one out Allyson Von Yokes (1-4) singled, Kylie Mead (3-4, RBI) singled, Madison Michalek-Rosales (RUN) into run, Kim Garcia walked to load the bases, a couple batters later with two outs Madisyn Wieher (1-2, 2 RBI) lined a single to left field that scored both Michalek-Rosales and Garcia.

Central Union (19-9) would bounce back and tie the game 3-3 in the top of the fifth inning.

The tie score didn’t last long as El Capitan regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with one out as Olaveson singled, Taylor North in to run. With two outs Mead laced a single which scored North to give the Vaqueros a 4-3 lead.

The Spartans were able to tie the game in the top of the seventh on a Martin groundout which allowed Jessica Acosta to score.

For the Spartans, Martin went 7.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 11 hits while walking 4 and striking out 5.

On the El Capitan side, Kylie Mead went all 8 innings for the complete game victory giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2 on the day.

With the victory, the Vaqueros eliminate the Spartans and move onto the Division III Championship where they will take on the top-seeded Southwest El Centro Eagles.

Also, it will be the first time since 2012 that the Vaqueros will play for a CIF crown when Delanie Gourley pitched and they defeated than league rival Santana 4-1 to claim the Division III title.