A combination of timely hitting and clutch pitching contributed to the Gilroy Chaos 12-and-under softball team’s championship run in the Spring Fling tournament at the Big League Dreams Sports Park in Manteca last weekend.
The Chaos, composed of players from Gilroy and Morgan Hill, totaled 45 hits on offense, while its pitchers registered 30 strikeouts in going 6-0.
In the championship game, the Chaos had its second meeting with the Tracy Triumph, a team Gilroy defeated 12-6 in pool play.
The game was closer through the first two innings. Catcher Joie Niehoff contributed to a stingy defensive effort, throwing out two runners trying to steal second. Hitting standout Julia Rodriguez had a three-run home run blow the game open for Gilroy in the third inning of an eventual 7-2 victory. Rodriguez also tripled, and the defense recorded 10 putouts.
The championship game was a walk in the park compared to a couple of the pool play contests Saturday.
The tournament began with a bang as the Chaos came from behind to beat the Brentwood Wildcats 7-6. Down 6-5 in the bottom of the fourth, Niehoff and Haley Berube walked, and Emma Peachey laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the pair up one base each. Miranda Janisch then belted a two-RBI double that gave the Chaos the win.
Berube, Rodriguez, Peachey, AnnaIsabel Perez, Amanda Bombino and Taylor Neunschwander contributed to a 10-hit, 15-2 win over the NorCal Elite. The Chaos came up with another 11 hits, including doubles by Bombino, Janisch and Berube, to beat Extreme Elite 8-6. The victory against the Triumph completed a 4-0 first day and earned the Chaos a No. 1-seed for Day 2. Pitchers Bryannalee Moreno and Janisch combined for 23 strikeouts Saturday.
The Chaos took on the Extreme Elite in the semifinals. Though the lead changed multiple times, a walk and aggressive base running by Peachey set up the winnings run. Madison Camacho delivered the hit to send the team into the championship.
“Although softball is just a game, it teaches our girls many of those life experiences that they will encounter outside of the game. This past weekend’s experiences showed these girls what hard work, dedication and perseverance can accomplish,” Chaos manager Sharon Niehoff said. “I have had many great softball memories over the years – thank you girls for yet another great memory.”
Gilroy Chaos will play at Twin Creeks Sports Complex in Sunnyvale on Saturday.
