After splitting a pair of games, Napa finishes third in spring tournament
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
After going undefeated on Friday, the Napa softball was presented an opportunity to win the own tournament for the second straight year.
Petaluma 10, Napa 8
The first game of the day was rubber match, due to the fact that the teams have split their previous meetings in Vine Valley Athletic League play.
According to Napa coach Ron Walston Napa’s pitchers had a hard time of hitting their spots, but Petaluma’s bats were also very good.
“We definitely pitched a little better yesterday,” he said. “I’m not making any excuses, but the girls are a little bit tired. They left the ball up, but Petaluma’s a great team. I knew it was going to be close.”
The Trojans starter the scoring right away when they scored three runs in the top of the first.
Napa fought back in the bottom of the first when they scored twice. Grace Guzman doubled and then came home on a Haylee Giarritta triple. Following her triple Giarritta came home on a Makena Walls single.
In the bottom of the third the Grizzlies were able to thrust themselves into the lead. Guzman singled, then stole second, and went to third on an error when she came home on a Giarritta single. Giarritta later scored on a Kimmie Walston single. Walston’s courtesy runner, Drew Somogyi came home when Jenna Baker drew a bases loaded walk.
In the top of the fourth Petaluma was able to score three more times.
But then in the bottom of the fourth Napa also scored twice. Guzman singled, then stole second before coming home on a Walls sacrifice fly. Caity Newburn singled and was pinch run for by Somogyi who scored on a Lindsey Lehman single.
With the hour and 20 minute time limit up and the game tied the sixth inning began with the last batter up starting on second base. In the top half of the inning Petaluma scored three times.
In the bottom of the seventh, Napa began the inning with Walls on second and she came home on a Newburn single. That would be all Napa would get in the game.
Napa 6, Casa Grande 3
In the third-place game Napa took on yet another VVAL team.
In the bottom of the first the Grizzlies (10-7) were able to put up four runs. Somogyi doubled and then came home when Giarritta reached on an error. Giarritta later scored on a Newburn double. Before Newburn’s double, Walls singled and both came home on a Lehman single.
In the top of the third Casa Grande got on the board when they scored twice.
In the bottom of the fourth Napa scored once more when Jordan Blackmon doubled, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on a Giarritta sacrifice fly.
The Gauchos scored their final run in the top of the fifth, and then in the bottom half Napa got that run back when Lehman hit a solo home run.
What’s next?
Napa will be back in action on Tuesday at 4 p.m. when they visit Justin-Siena. In the previous meeting Napa beat Justin-Siena 15-0. As for Casa Grande and Petaluma they’ll meet up on Tuesday at 4 p.m. as well.
