SAN JOSE, CA - For the first time since 2004, the Carlmont Scots are CCS champions, defeating San Benito 8-1.
The Scot victory snapped San Benito's streak of eight consecutive section titles and gave Carlmont (27-3) its eighth championship in program history.
"[At the] beginning of the year, we talked with the coaches [about] our one goal," said Christy Peterson. "[Our goal] was to win CCS, and we did it."
Kelsey Ching started off the game for the Scots in the second inning with a three-run triple to left field. Missy Pekarek followed with a base hit to center field, bringing in Ching and increasing the Scots' lead to 4-0.
"I felt good getting that hit," said Ching. "It felt good contributing to this game, and I wanted to do my part to help my team."
The Haybalers maintained a tight defense, but the Scots kept flailing away. Kirra Loucks led off the fourth inning with a walk, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Ching to advance pinch runner Syndey Adair. Pekarek smacked a base hit to right field for her second RBI of the game. Rebecca Faulkner followed with a line drive single to center field to bring in Pekarek, making it 6-0.
"Tonight's game went awesome," said Pekarek. "We played as a team. [Winning]is how you want to go out [of your senior year,] and we did."
The Scots kept their bats going into the sixth inning. With two outs and Loucks on third, Jacey Phipps hit a solid RBI base hit to right field. Faulkner followed with a triple to center, scoring Phipps.
"The game went our way," said Liggett, the former Scot football coach. "It was a team effort. They were very emotional today, and they played well."
Even with Carlmont's eight-run lead, the Haybalers never gave up. With one out, Callee Heen hit a solid base hit up the middle. Suzy Brookshire kept the rally going with a triple to right center, scoring Heen and getting a run on the board for the Haybalers.
"Overall [this season,] we did really well," said Haybaler Adriana Ibarra. "We stuck together."
The Haybalers kept their heads high as they accepted their second place trophy. The Scots accepted their championship trophy and medals with tears and smiles.
"It was amazing to end [my senior year] achieving our goal," said Peterson. "It was good to go out with the win."
