WATSONVILLE
– The Live Oak softball team has seen how tough the Tri-County
Athletic League can be, which has two of the other five teams
ranked in the top 20 in the state, but that doesn’t stop them from
beating up on teams from other leagues.
WATSONVILLE – The Live Oak softball team has seen how tough the Tri-County Athletic League can be, which has two of the other five teams ranked in the top 20 in the state, but that doesn’t stop them from beating up on teams from other leagues.
The Acorns exploded for 10 runs in the first two games of the Watsonville Tournament Saturday. Live Oak came into the tournament averaging 1.3 runs per game (19 runs in 15 games).
“They have been playing really tough against tough teams,” said Live Oak coach Barry McDonnell. “We have seen some really good pitching.”
With the exception of the losses to power houses North Salinas (No. 18 in state) and Mitty (No. 10 in state), the young Live Oak team, which has just two seniors on it, has been in every game.
The Acorns 6-11, 1-7 TCAL) will continue on in the tournament on April 26 in the single elimination championship round. The first game will be against league rival Gilroy at 11:30 a.m. If the Acorns win, they will play again at 1:30 p.m. Gilroy is coming off of a 4-1 victory over Westmont and a 3-0 loss to Carlmont in the tournament.
Live Oak opened up the tournament with a 4-2 win over Hillsdale. Jackie Jacob (4-7) picked up the win with six innings of work before game was called because of time. She gave up two runs on three hits and had six strikeouts and two walks.
Katie Hillman led the way, going 3-for-3 with a triple and double for two RBIs.
“She is really starting to come around,” McDonnell said. “She has had a flu or something recently. She needed a game like that.”
In the fourth inning, Eileen Grove singled and Alyssa Adamo sacrificed her to second. Hillman doubled scoring Grove. Andrea Thrappas cam up with an RBI single. Justine McDonald was hit by pitch to load the bases. Kaitlyn McHargue’s sacrifice to scored Thrappas.
Live Oak got its final run in the sixth inning as Hillman singled and went to third on center fielder error. She scored on a grounder by Thrappas.
The Acorns came up with their highest scoring game in the Saturday afternoon game as they defeated Palo Alto 6-4. Live Oak, which scored in each of the first four innings, held off a four-run sixth-inning rally for the win.
Freshman Kaitlyn Rauschnot (2-4) pitched a complete game with eight strikeouts for the win. Only one of the runs was earned. Slugger Krystle Potts-Kraten hit a triple for Live Oak to drive in in Catalina Rawers in the fourth inning.
In the first inning, Rawers singled, stole second and went to third on fielders choice. She scored on single by Adamo. Samantha Ferry reached base in the second inning on a first baseman error and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jackie Tennent. The two runs scored on a single by Kassandra Souza.
In the third inning, Adamo singled and stole second and eventually scored from third on a passed ball. Miles walked and stole second and scored on hit up the middle by Ferry.
Live Oak will face Notre Dame, who won the last contest 4-0, at home on Thursday as TCAL play continues.
