Kimball’s batters were relentless against the Spartans racking up 14 base hits over four innings. Jaguar pitchers Alexis Lopez (16-4) threw the first two innings to get the win while Katie Hanville finished the game allowing five hits and no runs.
Montanna Bradley doubled, singled twice and batted in three runs, Llesenia Torres tripled, singled twice and batted in a run, Arianna Hawkins doubled, singled twice and batted in two runs, Anisha Richardson had two hits and three RBIs, Katelyn Bomar had two hits and Taylor Honnoll also had a hit.
“Our bats have come around the last couple of games,” Kimball coach Joe Hernandez said. “Everyone in the lineup is hitting the ball real well. We’re peaking right before playoffs.”
With one game remaining on Wednesday, May 9, against East Union (12-11 overall, 5-7 Valley Oak League), the Jaguars (19-4, 11-2) are assured a playoff berth and second place in the league. But they want to beat the Lancers to gain a favorable spot in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV bracket.
On Monday, April 30, the Jaguars overcame the Lancers’ 5-3 lead in the sixth inning with a two-run by Arianna Hawkins at Northgate Park in Manteca to win, 7-6. Kimball scored two more runs in the inning to lead 7-5, and then held on in the seventh inning for the victory.
In the playoffs, the Jaguars bracket will likely include VOL leader Oakdale (19-2-1, 11-1) and third-place Sierra (13-4-1, 10-3), which still has a chance to take a share of second place.
Oakdale’s final three games include two against Sonora, which is 0-16 for the year, and fourth place Manteca (11-10, 6-7). Sierra also plays its final game against Sonora.
Players will be bringing confidence from their winning streak to Arnaiz Fields in Stockton when the playoffs begin on May 14.
“I know my defense has got by back,” senior pitcher Alexis Lopez said. “Definitely our hitting has come through. It will be like any other games.”
This time they have a little experience in post-season play as most of the players were on last year’s team, the first varsity program at Kimball and the first Jaguar team to make playoffs. Since then they’ve had another year to build on that accomplishment.
“I think that we just come together as a team and we communicate really well,” said sophomore second baseman Llesenia Torres. “Last year in playoffs we only got to one game. We just need to work harder to get farther.”
Millennium 9, Big Valley Christian 1
Millennium pitcher Melissa Vierra threw seven complete innings with seven strikeouts to beat the Lions from Big Valley Christian at home of Friday, April 27.
Breana Reyes led the Falcons (10-3 overall, 4-0 Central California Athletic Alliance) at the plate with three base hits, Jaylyn Gutierrez and Gabrielle Ramirez had two hits each, and Shyan Carpenter had a base hit and batted in three runs.
Sophomores: Kimball 8, East Union 3
Lexie Clark went 4-for-4, including a triple and an RBI, in Kimball’s win over East Union on Monday, April 30, at Northgate Park in Manteca.
Other batters contributing to Kimball’s early lead were Haley Shuey with a single and a double, Hailey Garza with two doubles and two RBIs, and Tahnee Trew with a single, and double and an RBI. Alyssa Lewis,Gigi Vega, and Priscalla Franco also had base hit. Hailey Garza pitched all seven innings for Kimball (11-0-1) and struck out six batters.
Sophomores: Lodi 3, Tracy 1
Kimberly Paschal gave up three hits and one earned run over seven innings, but three errors cost the Bulldogs in a 3-1 loss to Lodi on Friday, April 27, at the Tracy Sports Complex.
Ashley Diaz had two base hits, Sophia Perea had a hit and scored Tracy’s only run after Sylvia Guasch batter her in with a line drive base hit up the middle. The loss puts Tracy at 14-3-1 overall and 3-3 in the San Joaquin Athletic Association.
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