Tigers’ bats go cold in loss
MORADA — In its first four games of the season, the Tokay High softball team was on an offensive tear.
Against Napa in the 35th annual T. Ted Yoneda Softball Tournament at the Arnaiz Softball Complex on Friday, the Tigers generated some offense, but not near enough in a 5-0 loss.
Tokay (4-3) had three hits in the game. Two came in the top of the fifth inning. Tiger second baseman Brooke Graddy led off with a bunt in front of the pitcher’s circle. Napa pitcher Jenna Baker was late fielding the ball and throwing to first base, and Graddy beat out the throw.
Next at the batter’s box for the Tigers was Sydney Giovannoni, who singled into left field to move Graddy to second base. But the Indians recorded their first out when Graddy was thrown out at third base on Aliah Cisneros’ fielder’s choice. A fly ball and grounder ended the Tigers’ scoring chances.
“We just couldn’t put any hits together,” said Tokay coach Aaron Misasi.
The Tigers’ first hit came in the top of the third inning with one out when Elizabeth Arnaiz doubled to the left field wall. After moving to third base on a passed ball, Arnaiz was left stranded on the base paths when two fly outs ended a scoring opportunity.
“Should’ve been a couple of runs,” said Misasi.
The first inning had Tokay’s Mia Misasi walk with one out. After she moved to second on a passed ball, Misasi was also stranded when two Tokay players struck out.
Tokay cranked out 44 runs in its first four games of the season, which led to wins over Cordova, Sierra, Bear Creek and Ripon Christian. Then the Tigers’ offensive display slowed down at Manteca on March 8, which led to a 10-1 loss. Tokay fell to Ceres 10-2 in the first game of the tournament on Thursday.
“The bats kind of went cold,” Misasi said. “You’ve just got to find that steady rhythm. We’ve just got to get back to being confident, and have a better, aggressive attitude at the plate.”
Napa (1-1) scored all of its runs in the opening frame. The Indians used five hits that included a triple from Peyton Mott, plus four singles and a Tokay error to push across their runs. Napa finished with eight hits in the game.
Tokay pitcher Arianna Lozano, a junior, went the distance in the game. Aaron Misasi applauded Lozano and the Tigers for settling down on pitching and defense in the final five innings of the game.
“Arianna did very well,” said Aaron Misasi of Lozano.
Tokay is scheduled to play two more games in the tournament, which is to conclude today.