After throwing a perfect game through six innings against
Gilroy, Live Oak pitcher Juliette Bowers led her team to a 4-2
victory at Hollister-San Benito on Wednesday.
After throwing a perfect game through six innings against Gilroy, Live Oak pitcher Juliette Bowers led her team to a 4-2 victory at Hollister-San Benito on Wednesday.
Bowers had just one strikeout — to get the last batter of the game — but she was able outlast Hollister’s Danielle Hernandez with a little run support in the seventh inning.
Live Oak (13-10 overall, 6-5 TCAL) rebounded from a disappointing loss to visiting Gilroy on Monday to put together the late-inning rally at Hollister. The Acorns have now won two of the three games against the Balers this year and are in third place behind Notre Dame and Hollister with four games to go.
According to Live Oak coach Barry McDonnell, the Acorns had to pull out all the stops to beat Hollister and its ace Hernandez.
“That’s the only way you can beat them is by being aggressive,” McDonnell said. “We got to take the opportunities to score when we can because we won’t score too many runs.”
Alyssa Adamo led off the seventh inning with a single. Then, Justine McDonald slapped a bunt to reach base and was replaced with a pinch runner.
“We’ve been talking about that for a coupe weeks,” McDonnell said. “If teams are going to try and jam us, we just have to try to slap it through. She’s probably the best bunter on the team and was the ideal person to have in that situation.”
After a sacrifice by Kaitlyn Rauschot, both April Herrera and Katie Hillman hit balls on the infield that the Haybaler fielders threw home uncussessfully, allowing runs to score.
Andrea Thrappas picked up an RBI on a groundout to the second baseman. This time, the Balers went to first to get the sure out but the Acorns led 4-2.
San Benito started off the scoring with a run in the first inning.
Jenny Maheu, who had two hits in the game, led off with a single, then, with two outs, Hillary Williams hit a ball that the right fielder misplayed. Williams was thrown out at second, but the run was able to score.
Live Oak got its first run in the second inning. On a steal attempt, catcher Amy Baxter threw back to pitcher Dani Hernandez. Hernandez threw the ball to third, but no one was there and the run scored.
In the sixth inning, Maheu hit a little squibbler up the middle for her second hit. Julie Broyer sacrificed her over to second. And, Maheu scored on a ball hit by Kristen Archuleta that dropped between the first baseman and the right fielder.
San Benito (20-6, 8-3 TCAL) was coming off of 1-0 victory against Notre Dame, the 11th-ranked team in the nation, last week.
“We tried to talk to the kids and make sure we didn’t have a letdown,” said Baler coach Scott Smith. “We’re just not playing real good defense right now. They hit the ball well, and I have to take the blame on that for not calling a good game. I probably should have thrown a few more changeups and come inside a little more.”
Live Oak is scheduled to host North Salinas on Tuesday and play at Salinas on Thursday in next week’s TCAL action.
