Napa out slugs Clayton Valley to move on in CIF North Coast Section playoffs
By Kyle Foster, photo courtesy of Don Lex (LuckyDuckImages.com)
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Playoff softball can be very wild.
But, in Tuesday’s CIF North Coast Section division I first-round game wild took on a whole new meaning as host Napa beat Clayton Valley-Concord 23-13. Yes, you read that right.
“Playoff softball is crazy, but to see runs put up from both teams like that you never expect something like that,” Napa coach Ron Walston said.
The fireworks began right from the start when Clayton Valley (14-9) was able to score two run when freshman Jordan Woolery scalded a homer to center field.
Not to be outdone, Napa (15-7) came up the next half inning and scored eight runs. In that inning the Grizzlies sent 11 batters to the plate and got 10 hits.
The Ugly Eagles proceeded to score throughout the game as they scored a run in the second and fifth, three in the third, and six in the fourth.
After not scoring in the second, the Grizzlies went large in the third when they were able to explode for nine runs.
In the bottom of the fourth Napa scored a run when Caity Newburn walked and later came home on a Jenna Baker sacrifice fly.
Then, in the fifth with every run being crucial Napa was able to push three more runs across when Abby Arata singled and Haylee Giarritta also singled to set the table for Newburn who blasted a three-run homer to left center to give the Grizzlies a 21-13 lead.
“I kinda just really wanted to hit something hard,” Newburn explained of her bomb. “You know, just continue looking for my pitch that I wanted. So, I just got it and I just saw the ball and I hit it hard.”
The Grizzlies walked it off in the bottom of the sixth after Arata reached on a fielder’s choice and Grace Guzman singled before both scored on a Giarritta double.
Even with all the scoring Kimmie Walston was able to get the win for Napa. In 3 and ⅔ innings she walked four and struck out two. She allowed 11 runs to cross the plate, but six of those were unearned.
Napa’s top hitters were Newburn (2-for-2 home run, three RBIs, four runs, three walks), Giarritta (5-for-6, two doubles, three singles, five RBIs, three runs), Arata (4-for-5, four singles, four runs, stolen base, one RBI), Baker (3-for-4, three singles, sacrifice fly, two RBIs, two runs, stolen base), Guzman (4-for-6, four singles, stolen base, one RBI, four runs).
However, every Napa batter was able to record a hit on the day.
“When you’re in the playoffs that’s what it takes,” Walston said of all the offense. “The teams that advance everybody’s hitting and you’re playing good defense and you’re pitching well.”
With the victory, Napa was able to move on to the second round where they’ll face No. 1 seed Foothill-Pleasanton, the sixth ranked team in California on Friday at 5 p.m. To view the full bracket go here.
