Wildcats hold on for share of title
BRAWLEY — Heading into its final game of the season, the Brawley Union High softball team needed to leave it all on the field as an Imperial Valley League title and spot in the playoffs were on the line.
A win over Calexico High on Thursday night would give the Wildcats a share of the IVL crown alongside Imperial High as well as a spot in the CIFSan Diego Section Division II tournament.
“We’re sitting right at that No. 12 spot in Div. II,” explained Wildcat head coach Kevin Kerns.
Given the importance of the game, the Wildcats rose to the challenge and worked to hold off the Bulldogs winning 6-4 to capture a co-championship with Imperial.
The two also shared a title in 2007 and the last outright IVL title held by the Wildcats was in 2009.
Earning the win in the circle for Brawley was senior hurler Aubrey Ruelas, who had plenty of support from her defense and offense in the win to hold off the hard hitting Bulldogs.
While Calexico would score a run in the first inning, Brawley answered right back with a two-run home run from Savannah Contreras.
“I just wanted to make solid contact and come through for my team,” said the sophomore.
Contreras’ shot was the first of three home runs for Brawley on the night, with freshman right fielder Lilly Martinez connecting for a two-run shot in the bottom of the third and a solo shot in the bottom of sixth to give Brawley a two-run cushion heading into the final inning of the game.
“I wasn’t trying to hit it over, I just thought, ‘make contact,’” Martinez said.
Kerns praised the underclassman and all his players that helped the Wildcats all season.
“All of our freshman and sophomores and improved tremendously,” he said. “Their approach at the plate is always positive and they’re exciting to hit in pressure situations.”
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 12-14 overall and 10-2 in IVL action and will find out their playoff fate on Saturday during a seeding meeting in San Diego.