Gamsby’s dominant pitching performance leads Vintage past Casa Grande
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
With the Vine Valley Athletic League title up for grabs it’s important to keep winning.
Well, Vintage is still right there in the middle of that conversation following their 9-2 victory over Casa Grande-Petaluma.
Then, there’s the fact that Vintage starting pitcher Raimy Gamsby was dominant on the day. The freshman struck out 15 and walked two, all while throwing a complete game.
“I throw mainly rises and curves,” Gamsby explained as to what was working so well. “Getting them up in the hands it really messes with the batter, and then going outside it was a good pitching rhythm.”
“Raimy was hitting all her spots today,” Vintage coach Poppe explained. “Raimy was on top of it.”
There was also one point in the game where Gamsby retired 13 straight Gauchos.
“Definitely hitting my spots, pitch movement, knowing the batter like where to place my pitches, what height,” Gamsby said of sitting down 13 straight. “You know where to put them (pitches).”
Casa Grande (9-11 overall, 3-7 VVAL) scored the game’s first run in the top of the first. Casa Grande also scored once more in the seventh.
Then, the Crushers (13-6, 7-3 VVAL) seized control. In the bottom of the first Shelby Morse was hit by a pitch to set things up for Mo Groves who hit her sixth homer of the season to left field to give Vintage an early advantage.
Mo Groves hit a 2-run shot to highlight today’s 9-2 softball victory over Casa Grande! It’s coming down to the wire between us, Napa and AC.
❤️💛🥎
Huge game on Thurs @ AmCyn!!@VHS_Crushers @NVR_Sports pic.twitter.com/JJEs3mB3h5— VC Athletics (@VHSATHLETICS) May 1, 2019
Vintage proceeded to extend their lead in the bottom of the third when they scored three more times. Jordan Allen walked and later scored on a Taylor Brandt single. After Brandt’s single, Groves reached on a fielder’s choice, and both scored on a Camila Barboza single.
The Crushers also added three more in the fourth. Sarah Husted singled and then scored on an Allen single. After Allen singled, Morse singled as well before both moved up on a wild pitch, and then scored on a Brandt single.
In the sixth Vintage pushed one more run across when Allen reached on a bunt single and scored on a Groves single.
“Our biggest problem has just been putting timely hits together,” Poppe said. “So, we talked about it yesterday at practice and today before the game just focusing on putting the ball in play, not necessarily swinging for the fences, but putting the ball in play and see what happens.”
For Gamsby it was nice to have plenty of support from the offense.
“It’s really helpful to have some insurance runs to know that you have a cushion if you give up a couple of runs you’re still ahead,” Gamsby said of pitching with a big lead. “So, it’s nice to know that your team is there to back you up.”
Vintage will be back in action on Thursday at 4 p.m. when they visit American Canyon in what will be a massive game. The last time Vintage and American Canyon met up on April 9th Vintage won 4-3. As for Casa Grande, they’ll host rival Petaluma on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
