Sequoias Walks Off in 12-Inning Thriller Against Butte
| Final (12) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Butte
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 13 | 1 |
|
Sequoias
|
0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 19 | 2 |
Visalia, CA – The No. 16 College of the Sequoias softball team (8-1) secured a 10-9 walk-off victory over Butte College (1-2-1) in a 12-inning battle on Tuesday. Nayzeth Gonzalez (Hanford HS) delivered the game-winning hit, scoring Elaine Duran (Tulare Western HS) to cap off a thrilling back-and-forth contest.
"This was a battle from start to finish," head coach Cori Janelli said. "We showed a lot of heart in this game. We never gave up, even when we fell behind late. That's the type of fight we need."
The Giants jumped ahead in the second inning when Madisyn Benedict (Hanford HS) drove in Gonzalez on a groundout. In the fifth, Taylor Hastin (Tulare Union HS) extended the lead to 4-0 with a three-run home run to center, her 4th homerun on the year. Butte responded with three runs in the sixth, but Grace Chojnacki (Mission Oak HS) and Hastin helped add two more in the bottom half, keeping Sequoias ahead 6-3.
The Roadrunners refused to go away, tying the game in the seventh before taking their first lead in the ninth, 9-6. Sequoias answered immediately, as Emilee Santos (Corcoran HS) and Duran each drove in runs to tie the game 9-9. After two scoreless innings, the Giants finally broke through in the 12th when Gonzalez's single to left sealed the walk-off win.
"Our team's energy never wavered, and that's what makes this group special," Janelli added. "We had contributions from multiple players, and that's how you win games like this."
Key Performers
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Taylor Hastin (Tulare Union HS): 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBIs; 6.0 IP, 7 K (W)
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Elaine Duran (Tulare Western HS): 4-for-5, 2 RBIs, game-winning run
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Nayzeth Gonzalez (Hanford HS): 3-for-6, game-winning RBI
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Grace Chojnacki (Mission Oak HS): 6.0 IP, 7 K
Upcoming Games
COS travels to San Joaquin Delta this Saturday for a doubleheader, facing Delta at 10:00 AM and Cabrillo at 12:00 PM. The Giants return home next week for two doubleheaders: Thursday, Feb. 20 vs. Sierra at 10:00 AM & 12:00 PM and Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Monterey Peninsula at 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM.
"This game was a great test for us, and we're going to take that momentum into a tough weekend ahead," Janelli said. "We're learning how to win in different ways, and that will help us through the season."
