SANTA CLARA, CA - The opening day of the Mission City Tournament featured a strong run by the Gilroy Mustangs, who snapped a two-game skid with wins over Branham and Hillsdale, shutting out the Fighting Knights in the latter contest for a 2-0 victory.
Hillsdale entered Saturday's nightcap on a roll, having won nine straight games since a loss to CCS top-ranked Carlmont, including a 7-2 win over Los Altos earlier in the day. The Fighting Knights stayed dominant in the early game against the Eagles, as Kealani Kaufusi struck out four and allowed one hit, while Addison Eftakarri homered and drove in three runs. The evening contest was a different story.
Gilroy entered the tournament with back-to-back losses against Watsonville and Mitty, but got things going with a 6-2 win over Branham in an afternoon contest. The Mustangs then turned to pitching against a Hillsdale lineup that had been red-hot, as Sabrina Lopez and Kaitlyn Martinez combined to blank the Knights, scattering five hits and walking just one. Meanwhile, Makenna Weiler provided all the offense Gilroy would need.
Weiler produced a pair of doubles, including a two-run shot with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning that scored Martinez and Vanessa Zozaya for the only runs of the game.
Hillsdale's best opportunity in the game came in the top of the fourth inning, when Eftakarri doubled and Kaufusi singled to put runners on the corners with one out, but they could not capitalize, with a line drive to third base and a fly ball to left field ending the threat.
The tournament will continue next weekend.
