Softball takes down West Valley in three games, advances to face San Jose in second round

The Sierra College softball team got off to a solid start in the CCCAA NorCal Regional Playoffs as they took down West Valley College in three games in Saratoga this past weekend. 

The Wolverines got off to a great start in game one on Friday as a five-run fourth inning led to a 7-4 win. Kayleigh Lugowski went three for four with a double and two RBIs while Maddy Redinger hit a double along with an RBI single. Kendal Manley got the win with five innings in the circle before Jessica McPartland came in and closed it out. 

"Kendal had been battling a knee injury and had not pitched for several weeks," Wolverines coach Taylor Martinez said. "Having her healthy again has added depth to our pitching staff. She has done a great job stepping up and leading this team. She is always calm and supplies a steadiness. She was a big part of the success that this team had last year, and it is great to watch her step up in these big moments."

The Vikings scored one in the fifth and one in the seventh with the tying run at the plate, but were unable to make the comeback.

Game two of the series was played on Sunday and it was the Lady Vikings' turn to get out to a hot start with six runs in the first three innings, but the Wolverines would recover and battle back. Manley came in and pitched 4.2 innings with four strikeouts while allowing just one earned run. Lugowski once again came in clutch with a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, her fifth bomb of the season.

"I was really in attack mode, looking for hittable pitches early in the count because we need runners on however we can get them," Lugowski said. "We had faced their number one pitcher before so I had the plan of catching it early and working early in my count."

"Kayleigh is the hardest worker on our team," Martinez said. "What she has been able to do in the postseason is a testament to all the work she has put in this season. It has been awesome to watch her reap the rewards of all of her hard work."

Sierra failed to put more on the board in the final two innings and the Vikings forced a third game with an 8-3 win. The third game was also played on Sunday and it proved to be a pitchers' duel for the first three innings between Manley and Samantha Mader before the Vikings scored in the top of the fourth. The Wolverines answered right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning, including RBI singles by Lexy Saelee and Riley Ernst. Manley allowed just two hits in the final three innings as Sierra held on to win 3-1.

"It was very exciting," Martinez said. "This team has worked so hard this year and faced a lot of adversity. It has been a joy to watch them put it all together when it really matters."

The Wolverines will now prepare to face San Jose City College on the road on Friday at 2 p.m. for the second round with the winner advancing to Super Regionals.

"Our goal this week at practice is to clean up a few defensive mishaps and offensively to make sure we are ready to attack pitches on both sides of the plate," Martinez said. "Other than that, to just enjoy this moment. This group has been working since September together and everything is clicking at the right time. They have great postseason energy and we are excited to go compete this weekend in San Jose."

The California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association recently released All-State teams and Sierra sophomore Kendal Manley earned a spot on the All-Northern team.