Hornets advance in playoffs
CALIPATRIA — The Calipatria High School softball and baseball programs host a pair of playoff games here Tuesday afternoon, with the Hornets recording two solid post-season victories.
In softball, the No. 5 Hornets took on No. 6 Mission Vista in a third-round contest with Calipatria winning 9-5 to advance to Thursday CIF San Diego Section Div. IV semifinals at the Santee Sportsplex.
The Hornets will need to win twice on Thursday in order to advance to Saturday’s championship game.
Earning the win in the circle for the second time this post season was freshman lefty Delaney Hernandez, who benefited from the Hornet offense that put up three runs in the first inning and six more in the fourth.
“I did feel nervous but I also felt content because I thought we could do it,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez was tested by Mission Vista in the final inning as they were able to score two of their five runs in the top of the seventh, but Hernandez was able to remain calm to pitch to the final out of the game.
“I just tried to stay calm and under control,” Hernandez said. “I always felt like we could do it so I just focused on getting the outs.”
Head softball coach Melissa Snyder said she thought her team did well and was happy to see her players’ aggressiveness at the plate.
“We’re undefeated at home, so the girls are comfortable playing here,” Snyder said.
After missing out on the postseason last year, Snyder said it was great to see her team advancing to the semis and credited a strong freshman class with helping the Hornets this season.
“We have six freshman and they all started (Tuesday),” she said.
Nextdoor to the softball field, the Calipatria High baseball team was competing in the first round of the CIF SDS Div. V playoffs and was hosting the No. 5 seed from El Cajon Valley.
The No. 4 Hornets are looking to make a second straight appearance in the Div. V final and on Tuesday proved they were more than ready to make a deep postseason run after defeating El Cajon Valley 33-3.
“I think we did very well (Tuesday),” said head baseball coach Anthony Velasco. “I definitely think it gave us the start we needed for the playoffs.”
The Hornets have been hitting the ball well all season and Tuesday was no different.
“We’re definitely an aggressive team and that’s something that I try to preach to them on both sides of the ball,” Velasco said.
With the win the Hornets advance to the second round of the playoffs and return to action on Thursday when they will take on the winner of Tuesday’s game between Hoover and Borrego Springs.
Earning the win on the mound for Calipatria was Julian Medina who threw five innings giving up two earned runs and recording five strikeouts.
At the plate, Medina went 4-6 with a triple, Isaac Chavez went 7-8 with eight RBIs, Simon Ortiz went 3-3 with two home runs and a double and Jesse Gaytan went 6-6 with double and a triple.
Sports Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3434 or klopez@ivpress online.com