ANTIOCH – Mariah Gomez’s only hit of Wednesday afternoon’s first-round North Coast Section softball game could not have come at a better time, driving in Alissa West with her two-out single in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift host Antioch past American Canyon, 4-3.
American Canyon had scored twice in the top of the seventh, with the big blow coming on a solo home run by junior catcher Katherine Montuya, her seventh big fly of the season. That wiped out a two-run lead for the Panthers, who had been in control all game behind a strong effort in the circle from Bailee Reed. Reed threw all 10 innings, striking out 14 and allowing just six hits. Her effort was nearly matched by American Canyon’s Lisa Bolton, who struck out nine in her nine and two-thirds innings in the circle.
Antioch took its 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, on a run-scoring triple by Haley Painter and RBI single from Jazmin Alanis. Painter also homered to open the game for the Panthers, in the bottom of the first. After American Canyon tied the game in the seventh, things stayed that way until Antioch got to start the bottom of the 10th with West on second base, per international tiebreaker rules. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, then stayed there as a bunt attempt went back to the mound for the second out of the inning. That was when Gomez delivered with her clutch at-bat.
“This was our fifth walk-off win this year. We keep playing like the cardiac kids, and my heart can’t take it anymore,” said Antioch coach Nick Wisely. “I’m just so proud of how we competed all game. American Canyon is a good team, and we were able to outlast them.”
Antioch now awaits either Benicia or Las Lomas in the Division II quarterfinals. Benicia was leading that game in the fourth inning when it was suspended due to rain.
Division I
A pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth inning proved to be the difference, as Amador Valley held off Berkeley, 4-3. Mia Hildebrand and Malia Konig combined on a four-hit effort in the circle for the Dons, with Konig striking out four in her three innings. Amador Valley will face Dublin in the quarterfinals.
Morgan Hess delivered for Heritage with a four-RBI day, including a towering shot over the right field fence to lead the Patriots to the 11-1 victory over Concord. Freshman Tianna Bell added two run-scoring hits, while leadoff hitter Xiara Diaz drove in a run and stole three bases. Nicole Pickard had a solo home run to center field for Concord’s only run of the day.
Marissa Herrera went 3-for-3 with two doubles and five RBIs to power Granada past College Park, 6-5, in a game that was called for rain after five innings.
Lainey Hanehan allowed just two hits and struck out six, leading California past American, 7-2. The Grizzlies broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hanehan and Sydney Frankenberger each had three hits, while Alexis Burt went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Napa scored 17 runs in the first three innings, eventually outscoring Clayton Valley 23-13. Freshman standout Caity Newburn was walked three times, but also went 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs to power the Grizzlies, while Haylee Giarritta went 5-for-6 with two doubles and five RBIs. Jordan Woolery went 2-for-3 with a home run, double and six RBIs in the loss for Clayton Valley.
Nicole May and Maddie Heinlin combined on a no-hitter for Foothill in its 12-0 victory over Mt. Eden. May and Hope Alley each homered in the win, with Alley driving in four runs.
Division II
Aleena Quintero doubled and had four RBIs to held lead Alhambra past Montgomery, 13-3. Sarah Shepherd and Lauren King each had two hits for the Bulldogs.
Amanda Simonetti went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Summer Lake added two more hits for San Marin, as the Mustangs downed Northgate, 6-3. Freshman Sydney Martinez earned the win in the circle.
Division III
Kennedy Midgley struck out 12 batters in five innings, and Sonoma Valley scored 12 times in the bottom of the fourth inning to rout Campolindo, 15-5. Midgley also went 3-for-4 at the plate, as did Abby Alcayaga. Ally Alcayaga added a three-run home run for the Dragons. Abbie Lee went 3-for-3 in the loss for the Cougars.
Makena Goldbeck struck out 12 and did not allow an earned run to lead 11-seed Maria Carrillo past six-seed Kennedy-Fremont, 4-2. Goldbeck was also the only player in the game with two hits.
Senior Carson Rasmussen allowed just two hits and struck out six to lead Analy past Acalanes, 9-0. Rasmussen also went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs at the plate, while Chloe Hadrich and Leah Lawrence added three hits each.
