After seeing its 2-0 lead evaporate in the top of the sixth inning, and then falling behind by three runs in the top of the seventh, Bishop O’Dowd stormed back to take down Newark Memorial, 6-5, in the first round of the North Coast Section Division II softball playoffs.
The two-time defending Division III champion Dragons are playing up in divisions this year as a result of the new competitive equity by-laws in the section, and heading into the bottom of the seventh, it appeared they might be facing a first-round exit at the hands of the Cougars, a perennial power in the division. The first three batters of the final inning reached base, however, setting the stage for a dramatic walk-off, come-from-behind victory.
“This was a tough one. Newark’s pitcher (Viviana Gamez) did a great job, but our kids were patient and never gave up,” said Bishop O’Dowd coach Mike Cobb. “I am very proud of them. This was a good win against a very good program.”
With the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the seventh, Carly Hudson hit a ground ball to second base. The Cougars tried to get the out at home, but Jayla Dailey beat the throw, cutting the lead to 5-3. The runners then stayed put over the next two at-bats, bringing the Dragons within one out of defeat. But Frankie Hammoude’s ground ball back towards the mound resulted in an error, scoring Allie Curtis and making it a one-run game with George Mason bound senior Hannah Rosenfeld headed to the plate.
After fouling off the first pitch she saw, Rosenfeld delivered in the clutch for O’Dowd, lining a ball up the middle to score Hudson, while Michael Edwards-Gonzales then raced around third to home with the winning run.
Bishop O’Dowd had taken an early 2-0 lead, on an RBI groundout by Rosenfeld in the bottom of the first inning, and an RBI groundout by Hammoude in the bottom of the fourth. Newark tied the game with two runs in the top of the sixth, including a solo home run to lead off the inning from junior Haylee Nelson.
The Cougars then took a three-run lead in the top of the seventh, highlighted by a one-out, two-run double by Gamez. But that merely set the stage for O’Dowd’s incredible comeback. The Dragons move on to face top seed Livermore in the quarterfinals.
Moreau lineup powers Mariners past Terra Linda
Moreau Catholic pounded out 13 hits to take down Terra Linda, 9-3, in the first round of the Division III playoffs.
Sophomore Analeese F-Rios had three hits and two RBI to pace the attack, while junior Arielle Acosta had two triples and drove in a pair of runs. Gabrielle Perez, Leila Velasquez, and Hailey Santa Cruz also each had two hits in the win.
Moreau Catholic faces top seed San Marin on Friday night.
Around the horn
Sophomore Makayla Kraemer had a home run and four RBI, while Emily Dryer allowed two hits in four innings, to lead Analy past Campolindo, 16-0, in the Division III bracket. The Tigers advance to play Marin Catholic.
Pitcher Holly Gonzalez shutout Acalanes for the second time this season, as Kennedy-Fremont beat the Dons 6-0. The Titans now face Sonoma Valley in the Division III quarterfinals.
Ana Beard pitched four hitless innings as Division I top seed Amador Valley rolled past Mt. Eden, 15-0. Beard and Jessica Emde each drove in three runs. The Dons face James Logan in the quarterfinals.
Senior Abby Vinson tossed a complete game one-hitter, striking out 16, as Cardinal Newman blanked Kennedy-Richmond, 9-0. Sophomore Mikayla McCormick added three RBI at the plate.
Sophomore Reyna Heredia went 4-for-4 with a home run and five RBI, while senior Taylor McCracken added three doubles, as Saint Mary’s rolled past Livermore Valley Charter, 22-2. The Panthers face Cardinal Newman in the quarterfinals.
