Big rally in second is catalyst for Delta

STOCKTON - Even Delta College softball coach Jim Fisher didn't see the big two-out rally coming from his women's softball team during the second inning of Sunday's playoff game at the Bucky Layland Complex.

With the bases empty, the sixth-seeded Mustangs rallied for four runs on four hits and a walk en route to an 8-5 victory over No. 11 Cabrillo in the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs. With a two-game sweep of the best-of-three series, the Mustangs (30-12) advanced to Saturday's Super Regionals.

"You don't expect that four-run inning because sometimes players tend to give up after two quick outs," Fisher said. "I was proud of them because they didn't give up. Everybody contributed."

Rachel Greer-Smith, Saturday's hero with a 2-run homer in Game 1, began the rally by drawing a walk off Cabrillo starter Danielle Whitesell. Back-to-back doubles by Mia Ramirez and Kodee Johnson preceded a single and a triple by Selena Gonzalez and Maryanne Peluso, respectively, before the inning was over.

"It starts with one hit and the rest start hitting, too," said Peluso, whose 3-for-4 outing left her a double shy of hitting for the cycle. "Usually we don't get the timely hits, but the top, middle and bottom of the order all contributed today."

Seven of Delta's 11 hits went for extra-bases, including Katie Bentz's first-inning home run and an RBI triple by Taylor Barsi in the third inning. The Mustangs scored in each of the first four frames and led 8-1 going into the top of the sixth inning.

That's when the Seahawks (26-13) rallied for hits off Delta starting pitcher Miranda Quesada, who pitched at Bear Creek High. Quesada allowed a leadoff double to Cassidy Knowles, who quickly scored when the next hit went through the legs of Barsi at shortstop. Knowles then scored on an errant throw to first base by Peluso .

Two more runs by the Seahawks in the top of the seventh cut Delta's lead to 8-5 and, with the tying run at the plate, Fisher signaled for a pitching change. Tatiana Beilstein rewarded Fisher by striking out Olivia Mahach to end the game.

"I knew she'd do well and finish it," said Quesada of Beilstein. "I call her my sister, because sisters pick you back up."

Cabrillo coach Kristy Ballinger was proud of the way her team battle back.

"I knew my girls had some fight still left in them," said Ballinger, of the four runs in the final two innings. "They never give up. Seems like we were able to turn it on, but unfortunately we only get seven innings instead of nine like they do in baseball."

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