HUGHSON, CA -- Hughson raced past Mariposa for an 8-0 shutout victory in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section softball playoffs, carrying the Huskies into the second round of post-season play.
Mariposa started the game off strong loading up the bases, but Hughson's Megan Shuyato notched a key strikeout to keep Mariposa off the scoreboard in the top of the first. Hughson then built early momentum, as Kali Gose doubled to lead off the game for the Huskies' offense, and was driven in a batter later by Katie Thornsberry for the 1-0 lead. After Shuyato retired the side in order in the top of the second, Hughson continued its early surge with four runs in the bottom of the second, all of them coming with two outs. The rally was highlighted by a two-run homer off the bat of Marijane Lopez, which made the score 5-0.
Hughson closed out the game with a single run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth. Jaden Brazil doubled to score Megan Lutz in the fourth to make the score 6-0, while Thornsberry doubled in Jo Dowdy during the fifth, which was followed by Lutz' single to score Gose, which brought the final tally to 8-0.
“Unfortunately we just made too many errors at the end of the day,” said Mariposa head coach Tony Williams. “Even though we lost I'm still proud of how my girls kept on playing at their hardest level.”
Shuayto pitched all seven innings for the complete game victory, striking out 10 batters allowing only five hits to help her team to the shutout victory.
“As a pitcher you want to keep yourself in a good mindset no matter what, so I am just glad it went my way today,” said Shuayto. “Our team has a lot of skill and we're going to give our best going into the next round.”
“It felt good to open up the first round with a win after falling out of the first round the last two seasons in D IV,” said Hughson head coach Rod Cree. “I think we're better than what our record is we just haven't played our best all season and now we are seemly playing better.”
#3 Hughson now moves on to face #2 Linden this Wednesday at Arnaiz Softball Complex. First pitch is set for 5pm.
Division V Round 1 Results
#1 Escalon 4 Vs #8 Waterford 0
#4 Amador 5 Vs #5 Hilmar 6
#2 Linden 6 Vs #7 Bear River 0
