They
’re making the Central Coast Section Division I softball
playoffs their own personal party, and they’re having the time of
their lives. They danced and hugged, and dumped ice-water over
their coach’s head – and that was just after Wednesday’s 3-1
victory over Monta Vista of Cupertino in th
e semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium. Led by perpetually
cheerful, upbeat senior Juliette Bowers, the
underclassmen-dominated Live Oak High softball team has cavorted
all the way into the section finals.
They’re making the Central Coast Section Division I softball playoffs their own personal party, and they’re having the time of their lives. They danced and hugged, and dumped ice-water over their coach’s head – and that was just after Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Monta Vista of Cupertino in the semifinals at San Jose PAL Stadium. Led by perpetually cheerful, upbeat senior Juliette Bowers, the underclassmen-dominated Live Oak High softball team has cavorted all the way into the section finals.
“Every game is just like this for them,” Live Oak coach Barry McDonnell said. “They’re just a very enthusiastic group.”
Today, No. 6 LO (22-8) will take its youthful enthusiasm into the CCS championship game against league rival and eighth seed North Salinas (23-10) at 12:30pm at PAL Stadium.
The Acorns beat North Salinas twice during the league season but McDonnell said the Vikings and pitcher Jessica Boyle are playing at the top of their game in the postseason. In fact, North Salinas upset league champ Notre Dame late in the regular season, then upset top seed Carlmont in the playoffs en route to the final.
But LO has racked up a few upsets of its own in the postseason, eliminating No. 2 Monta Vista and No. 3 Oak Grove. This is the first time the Acorns have been to the CCS finals since winning it all in 2001.
“We’re going to be so pumped for (Saturday’s game),” junior centerfielder Danielle Austin said. “We’re going to come out and take the banner.”
In Wednesday’s semifinal victory, LO broke the ice on a scoreless game in the fifth inning. Sophomore Kelly McDonald smashed a triple to dead center off Matador pitcher Jessica Iwasaki and scored on Austin’s RBI single to right. LO added another run in the inning when freshman Tanya Ferry, who had reached on a bunt single, stole second and advanced to third on Austin’s single, scored on an error.
Monta Vista tallied a run in the bottom of the inning to pull within 2-1 but the Acorns tacked on another run on a sacrifice bunt by Bowers in the seventh, and the senior ace mowed the Matadors down in the bottom of the inning.
Bowers allowed just three hits and struck out six in picking up the victory.
Notre Dame and Palma have also advanced to CCS finales – in Division III. The Spirits will play Valley Christian on Saturday at 3pm at PAL Stadium, while the Chieftains will take on Carmel on Saturday at 1pm at San Jose Municipal Stadium.
