Gavilan softball dipped to 0-2 in Coast Conference South play after an 8-4 loss to Hartnell on Tuesday in Gilroy.
Ashley Andrew tossed a complete game for the Panthers, allowing six hits and striking out six for the win. Four of the Rams’ six hits came in a four-run sixth inning, which cut a seven-run deficit to 8-4.
Gavilan (6-12-1 overall) fell behind 3-0 after 2 1/2 innings. Gavilan starter Sam Bejarano helped her cause in the bottom of third with a leadoff single. She later scored on Adrianna Osuna’s sacrifice fly to right field. Despite loading the bases, the Rams only cashed in the one run.
The Panthers, behind three RBIs from Jaynie MacDonald, answered back with two runs in the fifth and four in the sixth to reach the 8-1 advantage.
The Rams responded in the sixth. With two outs, Shayna Osuna and Danielle Vallejo put together back-to-back hits and were followed by Casey Garcia reaching on an error to load the bases. Priscilla Orona (Live Oak) belted a bases-clearing triple off the bottom of the right-field fence to make matters a bit more interesting. After a Bejarano walk, Andrew caught Hailey Nelson (Live Oak) looking at strike three to end the inning.
Andrew shut the door in the seventh to seal the Panthers’ first conference win of the season.
Gavilan is back on the diamond Thursday against West Valley at 3 p.m. in Gilroy.
