Annual opening ceremony draws large crowd
MORGAN HILL — Saturday, March 7, was a beautiful, sunny day at San Martin Gwinn Elementary School for the annual start of the Spirit of Morgan Hill Girls Softball Season.
Three hundred and seventy-five girls, hundreds of parents, VIP’s, and city officials gathered to see 34 teams compete in five divisions. Girls from ages 5-18, battled it out while working on the fundamentals of softball. A great time was had by all while enjoying opening ceremonies, a barbecue, music, and a tribute to the Doting Family.
Dave, Sharon, Stephenie, Kirsten and Hanna Doting were all honored as a family for their tremendous service to Spirit Softball throughout the years. Dave Doting was honored as a former board member and two year Spirit president, Sharon for her many years on the board and multiple times running opening day and the girls for their combined 20-plus years of playing Spirit softball between them and even becoming junior board members.
Spirit softball runs from early March through late May and this is the 29th season of recreational girls softball here in Morgan Hill.
First game a draw
Opening day of Spirit Softball saw a great game on the Junior field between the Orbits and the Galaxy. The Orbits took an early lead in the first inning with two quick runs, but the Galaxy battled back when Kylie Weeks singled to third base, took second on a steal and scored on a single to right field by Jackie Orta. Jackie quickly stole second base and scored herself tying the game up at 2-2 on a line drive single to left field by Grace Smith.
The top of the second saw a double deep to left field by the Orbits Serena Salazar which was quickly tracked down by left fielder Marijane Cisneros. Salazar then stole a base and scored on a fielder’s choice great back-handed play by Madi Weeks at second base.
With the score 5-2 Orbits it looked like it was over for the Galaxy, but they stormed back in the bottom of the third when Orta was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Grace Smith. Savannah Osuna had a sharp hit to second base that scored Smith. With the score 5-4 Orbits, Sarah Machado continued her sharp pitching with a total of six strikeouts in 4 innings.
The bottom of the fourth inning saw Justine Tynan take first base on an infield single and take second on a sacrifice by Pilar Pennix. Tynan stole third base and scored the tying run on a single to left center field by player of the game Jackie Orta. The 5-5 tie was a great way to start the season by both teams.
