Bulldogs edge Eagles in eight
EL CENTRO — The Calexico High softball team shook up the Imperial Valley League standings after defeating Southwest High, 7-5, in an extra-inning game here on Tuesday night.
The visiting Bulldogs had a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the seventh, before Eagle senior Victoria Cruz opened the inning with a solo shot to centerfield to tie the game, 5-5.
Despite the early score, Calexico remained in the game and worked to close the door on the Eagles, stranding two Southwest baserunners.
In the top of the eighth the Bulldogs’ Estefania Caballero took a pitch to the elbow, giving Calexico a baserunner with one out.
Southwest then elected to walk intentionally senior Nicole Moran, bringing Lynette Niebla to the plate.
The sophomore had already tripled in the sixth inning, yet admitted she was still anxious given the situation.
“At first I was really nervous,” Niebla said with a smile. “But I just tried to breathe and control my emotions and just trust in my hands and my batting ability.”
Niebla ended up connecting for a double that drove in a run to break the tie and give Calexico a one-run lead.
“I was so excited and just so happy that my team was backing me up the whole time,” Niebla said with a laugh.
Brianna Amparano then singled to drive in an insurance run for Calexico, before a groundout and strikeout sent the game into the bottom of the eighth.
Despite previously taking a pitch to the elbow, Caballero returned to the circle for the Bulldogs and, with help from the defense, recorded two quick outs.
This same defense would help end the game after an Eagle batter delivered a shot to right-center and attempted to stretch the hit into a double, but not before the relay from the outfield reached second base and the Southwest High player was called out.
Calexico Head Coach Jerry Niebla said he was proud of his team’s effort and the players’ situational hitting throughout the game.
“I really think it was our mentality at the plate that made the difference,” he said. “They believed in themselves and went up there without any doubts in their mind that they were going to hit the ball.”
The second-year head coach praised both Niebla and Caballero, who combined efforts in the circle, with Niebla going 4 1/3 innings and Caballero closing the game and recording the win.
For the Eagles, Sadriena Rodriguez had another solid pitching performance, giving up 10 hits and five earned runs while striking out 10. At the plate, Cruz finished with two RBIs; Iliana Manzano had one RBI; Jaelyn Niebla had an RBI, and Mady Jungers had a double and one RBI.
With the result, Calexico moves to 8-12 overall and 4-4 in IVL, while Southwest moves to 19-6 overall and 6-2 in league.
Both teams return to action at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, with Calexico hosting Imperial and Southwest traveling to face Brawley.