Vikings keep the magic going
H toOLTVILLE — The Holtville High softball team became the fourth team from the Imperial Valley to advance Thursday’s CIF-San Diego Section semifinals after toppling Maranatha Christian 18-2 in a third-round game here on Tuesday afternoon.
The No. 5 Vikings took charge from the beginning of the game thanks to the efforts of freshman Zamara Gutierrez in the circle.
“The confidence she was showing from that very first pitch really fueled the team, and that’s what we’re looking for from our pitching staff,” said Vikings Head Coach Melissa Snyder.
Snyder said she was extremely proud of Gutierrez’s effort against the No. 6 Eagles as well as her eagerness to start the game.
“She pretty much just took the ball and went out there,” Snyder said. “She’s definitely got the hot hand right now. She’s very focused and poised and I think if she continues pitching this way we’re going to be all right.”
Gutierrez finished with eight strikeouts in the shortened five-inning game and remained composed in the third and fourth innings when the Eagles put on a handful of base runners via bunt-singles and a few errors.
While the Vikings were able to shake off and work past their errors, the Eagles were not as they committed at least five errors on the day and walked six batters in the first inning alone, resulting in a seven-run inning for the Vikings.
Holtville would add on two more runs in the second, three in the third and six in the fourth to set the stage for Thursday’s semifinal against No. 4 Bayfront Charter.
The Sharks defeated the Vikings 2-0 in a firstround game exactly one week ago, with the rematch set for 3 p.m. at Sportsplex USA, Poway.
A loss to the Sharks would end the Vikings’ season, while a victory would place them in a second semifinal game later that same day at 7 p.m. for a chance to advance to Friday’s Div. V final.