Foothill proves to be too much, ends Napa’s season
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
PLEASANTON-There are times in sports where you come across a team that’s simply better than you.
As was the case for the Napa High softball team when they saw their season come to an end against Foothill-Pleasanton, 11-1, in five innings.
“Really good team, yeah really good team,” Napa interim coach DeAnna Bowers admitted. “I thought with a couple of balls that might’ve been caught the would’ve been a lot closer than it was.”
The Falcons (26-0), who are ranked sixth in California, were able to find the scoreboard first when Courtney Beaydin roped a three-run homer.
Foothill then extended their lead in the bottom of the second when they scored five more times. However, the highlight of the inning came when Ellen Eberts was able to get a wind-aided three-run homer to center field.
In the third, Napa (15-8) was able to do something few teams have done this year to score a run against Foothill. After walking Haylee Giarritta got out at the plate when Kimmie Walston doubled and advanced to third on the throw to the plate, and was able to make it an error aided inside-the-park home run when Foothill had a throwing error to bring her home.
“Absolutely,” Bowers explained as to how it’s a positive. “I sent Haylee think that (shortstop) Hope (Alley) had to make a perfect throw and she did and hats off to Hope, but then we were able to get a run across.”
The Grizzlies also had a chance to score in the top of the first when Giarritta doubled and Caity Newburn walked, but they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Falcons added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game and Napa’s season.
Napa’s top hitters on the day were Giarritta (1-for-1, double, walk), Jenna Baker (1-for-2, single), and Walston (1-for-2, double, run).
It was Oklahoma-bound junior Nicole May who got the win for Foothill. Over all five innings she struck out eight and walked only two.
“A great pitcher, they took great at bats,” Bowers added.
For Napa it was Walston who took the loss in her final high school start inside the circle.
With the loss, it was the final game for Napa’s six seniors of Drew Somogyi, Makena Walls, Jenna Baker, Haylee Giarritta, Walston, and Lindsey Lehman.
As for Foothill, they advanced to the CIF North Coast Section Division I semifinals where they’ll face in-town rival Amador Valley, the four seed.
