Izzie Kunimune with clutch hit in the 2nd inning rally
Healdsburg, Cailf.- After finishing the regular season in a first place tie with Windsor, Newman Softball defeated the Jaguars in the NBL Tourney Finals 6-3, to earn the automatic NCS Playoff berth.
On a warm day in Healdsburg, CN jumped out to an early lead scoring 4 runs in the top of the 2nd inning. With runners on first and second,
Gianna Tamayo singled, driving in
Ava Walters to make it 1-0. Then, after a walk to
Sloane Burke loaded the bases,
Sofia Kerrigan singled to drive in
Callie Howard. With two outs Izzie Kunimune came up big with. a 2-run base hit to complete the scoring.
From there, pitcher
Callie Howard went on strikeout tear. After striking out the side in first and now pitching with the lead, Howard K'd the side again in the 2nd and two more in the 3rd. She pitched out of jam in 3rd, facing runners at first and second and no outs, to hold Windsor scoreless. The Cardinals added a run with back-to-back doubles by Howard and Tamayo and were now up 5-0 heading to the 4th.
Howard struck out the side again in the 4th, stranding a runner at second, giving her 11 Ks for the game.
Windsor finally got on the board in the 5th, scoring 3 runs on a couple of walks, an error and two singles.
After a scoreless 6th, Newman came up in the 7th looking for insurance. After singles by
Ava Walters and
Callie Howard, Newman had runners on second and third with no outs. Gianna Tamyo hit a potential sac fly ball to right field. Walters tagged and slid into the plate. It was a bang-bang play, the tag appeared to be late, but Walters was called out for a double play.
Makenna Homan followed with a clutch RBI single to center and Newman held a 3 run lead, with just 3 out to go
Callie Howard pitches out of jam with a big strikeout
.
Howard, tiring, hitting the 100 pitch mark, and battling the heat completed the game with a 1-2-3 7th and the title was theirs!
The NBL Oak Softball Championship is the first in school history. The Cardinals overcame major adversity throughout the season and on Friday. Several players were out of positions due to the absence of catcher
Christell McCormick. Nicole DiMarco filled in behind the plate and caught a terrific game. She made a great catch on a tough pop-up in foul territory and had zero passed balls in the game!
The Cardinals have been seeded number 3 in the upcoming NCS D3 Playoffs. CN will host a first round game Tuesday at 5PM vs Moreau Catholic.
