Four-run second inning leads Vintage past Benicia in home opener
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Early inning offense can make things a lot easier. It helps everyone settle in and just play the game without having to worry about mistakes biting you.
On Saturday morning, the Vintage softball team was able to use early-inning offense to beat Benicia 7-1 in their home opener.
The Crushers were able to push four runs across in the bottom of the second of this one. It was an inning where they sent nine batters to the plate. After singling, Shelby Morse scored on a single by Devin Viruet. Viruet would later score on a single by Angie Rubalcava. A single by Taylor Lauritsen brought in Rubalcava. Emily Vanderbilt walked and scored on a wild pitch.
“We are mentally strong, and we approach the plate like, ‘I’m going to hit the ball every time,’” Vintage first-year manager Megan Lopez explained. “To be able to string them along early in the game is great. It’s impressive.”
Vintage added two more in the sixth. Raimy Gamsby singled and Rubalcava walked. They moved up a base when Taylor Lauritsen grounded out and scored on a single by Audrey Manley.
“I think we’ve been working on this in practice a lot and just kind of being knowledgeable of where your runners are if you need to hit it right side,” Gamsby explained of the offensive approach. “Just being relaxed and knowing that you can hit the ball.”
The Crushers’ final run came in the sixth when Manley drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Camila Barboza who was a courtesy runner for Gamsby after she reached on an error.
At the plate, Vintage was led by Rubalcava (2-for-2 two singles, walk, two runs, RBI), Manley (2-for-3 two singles, walk, 3 RBIs), Viruet (1-for-2 single, walk, RBI, run), Gamsby (1-for-3 single, two runs), Morse (1-for-3 single, run), and Taylor Lauritsen (1-for-4 single, RBI).
Benicia (0-1) scored their lone run of the game in the fifth when Ary Banks launched a solo home run out to left-center.
Getting the win was Gamsby. The right-hander worked all seven frames striking out 11 and walking two. She allowed just one run and just four total hits on 120 pitches.
“I was just working my rise (and) my curve,” Gamsby said as to what her approach was in the circle. “My goal this game was to stay focused throughout all seven innings – like every batter. I might have lost that focus here and there but I got it back.”
The University of Rutgers-bound right-hander also had a test at the beginning of the game when she had a 14 pitch battle with the leadoff hitter of the game for Benicia. She was able to settle down and get three outs after the long battle.
The Crushers also improved to 3-0 on the young season and picked up Lopez’s first home victory of her coaching career. So far this season, Vintage has scored 17 total runs and allowed just 2 to score. A plus 15 run differential is always a good sign just three games into the season.
“Oh my gosh, I could not be more proud of these girls,” she said of getting her first win in the home confines. “They put in a solid week of practice. We knew this was a big game – especially our first big home game. I’m just really proud that everyone in the lineup was a huge producer today.”
Vintage will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon at 4 pm when they host Maria Carillo of Santa Rosa.
