After pushing a run across early, Vintage scores five runs in sixth to beat Petaluma, move on in VVAL tournament
By Kyle Foster
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A little bit of run support can sure go a long way. It can also change a game from nerve-racking to making everyone able to breathe a little easier.
On Wednesday afternoon, Vintage bookended their offense to beat Petaluma, 6-0, in the semifinals of the Vine Valley Athletic League tournament.
At long last in the sixth, the Crushers were able to get the much-needed breathing room they scored five times to take a 6-0 lead. The rally began when Malina Viruet singled and was run for by Ryan Chaddock. There were runners at second and third after Devin Viruet reached on a bunt single with a throwing error to allow Chaddock to get to third on the play. A single by Angie Rubalcava brought in Chaddock, with Rubalcava getting to second on the throw. A single by Allen brought in Viruet and Rubalcava. Desiree Griffith reached on a bunt single and got to second on a Cienna Alvarez reached on a fielder’s choice. The scoring ended when Abygail Sims ripped a triple down the left-field line to bring in Griffith and Alvarez.
“I didn’t anticipate it would be only one run until the sixth,” Vintage head coach Megan Lopez explained. “Happy the girls finally made their adjustments towards the end of the game and were able to be successful.”
Vintage scored the first run of the game in the first when Manley doubled to left-center. In the very next at-bat, Malina Viruet doubled to left-center as well to trade place and give Vintage a 1-0 lead.
“I knew that after my first strike, I was trying to hit something hard in the gap somewhere,” Manley explained of her double in the first to get the offense started. “I just wanted more than a single.”
For the remaining five innings between, 1-0 would be the score. During this time, the Crushers (16-4-1) had other chances to add on but were unable to capitalize. This was to be expected. After all, this was the second time in the last five days the two teams have met after Vintage won 9-1 on Friday.
In the third, Taylor Lauritsen singled and swiped second but was left stranded at second base. Then, there was the fourth when Devin Viruet singled and got to second on a wild pitch before getting to third when Brianna Allen reached on a bunt single and got to second on the play.
However, Vintage was still grinding at-bats but not getting the key hit to open the game up. Adding on runs is always important.
“I think most of our at-bats today were quality at-bats,” Manley pointed out. “Maybe we didn’t get a base hit but lots of foul balls, seeing a lot of pitches.”
Others adding to the Vintage batting attack in the game were Allen (2-for-3 stolen base, 2 RBIs), Malina Viruet (2-for-4 double, RBI), Devin Viruet (1-for-2 run), Sims (1-for-3 triple, 2 RBIs), Rubalcava (1-for-3 run, RBI), Griffith (1-for-3 run), and Lauritsen (1-for-4).
In the game, Manley was 1-for-3 with a double, walk, and run scored. She did all of this from the second spot of the lineup, a spot which she’s occupied for the last few years.
“I love hitting in the two spot just because I get to see the pitcher earlier than other people,” Manley said of hitting from the second spot in the order and how it suits her. “Sometimes I get more at-bats just because I’m able to see more pitches.”
Getting the win in the game was freshman righty Malina Viruet. She was once again dominant as she worked six frames and allowed just 2 hits. Viruet also struck out 5 and walked 1 while throwing 67 pitches. This was her third win of the campaign and the first time she’s gotten back-to-back wins all season.
“Malina spins the ball really well,” Lopez said of Viruet’s effort in the circle. “I think coach Michelle (Hobbs) does a really good job of spinning pitches a lot and throwing people off-balance. Malina is able to take that pitch and hit her spot and she has a great defense backing her up constantly. So it’s a team effort.”
Noelle Rofkahr worked the final inning where she allowed a hit and struck out 2 on just 13 pitches to end the game.
With the win, Vintage will host the VVAL Tournament Championship game on Friday at 4 pm against No. 2 Casa Grande-Petaluma who beat No. 3 American Canyon 13-2 in the other semifinal. The teams have met in the VVAL Tournament title game each of the last two seasons. Both teams have split the games on each other’s home field this season as well. Casa Grande won 4-3 on April 26th in the most recent meeting,
