Casa Grande gets big hit in key times to win heavyweight battle in VVAL over Vintage in thriller
By Kyle Foster
Follow on Twitter/X: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
When a pair of evenly-matched teams meet up, it comes down to execution in the key times. It also helps to score first and put the pressure on the other team.
In Friday afternoon’s key Vine Valley Athletic League game at the Crusher softball field, this is what visiting Casa Grande did as they edged out a 4-3 win over Vintage. The game was a heavyweight matchup as both had been rolling entering the game.
In the third, the Gauchos (17-2 overall, 9-2 VVAL) opened the scoring three times in the fourth. It all started when Lauren Ketchu and Alex Giacomini singled to start the rally. Ketchu came in on a single by Patridge. A triple down the left field line by Abby McSweeney brought in Giacomini and Lucy da Roza who was the courtesy runner for Partridge.
Then, with the game tied at 3, Patridge had the key moment when she roped a solo shot to left-center for what would be the game-winning run. It was the junior’s 5th long ball of the season as well.
Leading the Gaucho batting in the game was Patridge who was 2-for-3 with a homer, run, and 2 RBIs.
Others helping Casa Grande on offense in this one were McSweeney (1-for-3 triple, 2 RBIs), Giacomini (1-for-3 run), Ketchu (1-for-3 run), and Hannah Edwards (1-for-3 double).
However, Vintage (13-4-1, 9-1 VVAL) tied the game up with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Devin Viruet walked and Malina Viruet singled and was run for by courtesy runner Abigail Sims. A single by Desiree Griffith brought in the older Viruet. A single by Cienna Alvarez brought in Sims and got Griffith to third base. Then, Griffith came in on a wild pitch to knot things up again.
This was an inning where the Crushers showed how gritty and tough they can be as they were able to immediately answer with three runs of their own, all of which came with two outs in the inning.
“Being down the first three runs and then having these girls answer back shows their resilience and that hits are contagious,” Vintage head coach Megan Lopez explained. “When we can string hits together, we can be successful inning for inning. We didn’t get the win, but they are able to put the runs on the board.”
Vintage also had a chance to tie it up in the bottom of the seventh when Alvarez doubled to right-center and was pinch-run for by Sims who got to third on a wild pitch. But the next few batters made the last three outs to end the game and waste the prime opportunity.
Leading the Vintage offensive attack in the game was Alvarez (2-for-3 double, RBI), Desiree Griffith (1-for-3 run, RBI), and Malina Viruet (1-for-3).
Getting the win in the circle as well in the game was Patridge. She worked 6 innings on the day and threw 99 pitches while allowing 3 runs (2 earned). She also gave up 4 hits while striking out 9 and walking 3.
She was able to be effective by pitching to the outside corner all day long.
“She was really challenging us on the outside of the plate,” Lopez said of the challenge Partridge gave her girls. “She also mixed her speeds. She had a great changeup. But I think to our girls’ credit, they were able to adjust and put some runs on the board.”
Georgia Moss worked the last inning and got the save in the game.
Taking a tough loss in the game was Angie Rubalcava. The junior righty worked 2 innings where she struck out 3 and gave up just one run in just 24 pitches.
Rubalcava did this after starting the game in right field. Lately, she has been showing how versatile she can be. She also hit the second spot in the lineup again.
“She’s versatile for us,” Lopez said of Rubalcava’s ability to play anywhere she’s needed. “She’s able to start on the mound, she’s able to start in the outfield. She can come in and relief.”
Getting a no-decision in the game was Malina Viruet. The freshman worked the first five frames while allowing 5 hits and striking out 4. She also allowed 3 earned runs on the day.
With the loss, the VVAL race gets a bit more intriguing as both teams head into the final week. Vintage still holds the upper hand as they will need to beat American Canyon on Wednesday and Petaluma on Friday to win it outright. Casa Grande will have the league bye on Wednesday before visiting Napa on Friday.
In other VVAL games on Friday, American Canyon beat Justin-Siena 17-1 and Petaluma beat Sonoma Valley 4-1.
