Panthers Push Their Way Into State Championship Game With 10-Inning Win Over San Mateo

Panthers Push Their Way Into State Championship Game With 10-Inning Win Over San Mateo
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May 21, 2016

by Andrew Wheeler, CCCSIA

Bakersfield, CA - For the first time since 2004, NorCal #3 seed Sacramento City College has pushed their way into the CCCAA State Softball Championship Game. The Panthers rallied from a two-run deficit in the top of the seventh inning, and then went on to win in the 10th inning 7-6 over NorCal #1 College of San Mateo.

Sacramento City scored the game's first run getting an RBI from sophomore Kaitlyn Leffle that drove in sophomore Madison Butcoff. San Mateo would respond with a big bottom of the first getting three runs, one via an error by the Panthers, the second on an RBI double to right by freshman Jordan Davis, and the third on an RBI single to right by freshman Megan Wells that made it 3-1.

The Bulldogs would add to their lead in the bottom of the second, when sophomore Harlee Donovan belted an RBI double to right-center field. Sophomore Kaitlin Chang followed that up a few at bats later, with a single through the left side of the field that brought Donovan home and made it 5-1.

In the top of the third the Panthers started to chip away at their deficit, getting a solo shot to right-center by freshman Gabby Ortiz to make it 5-2. Before the inning was done, Sacramento made it 5-3 when sophomore Jostyn Bebout hit an infield single that brought in Leffle.

Sacramento saved their best offensive inning for the last second, as they scored three runs in the top of the seventh, all with two outs. Freshman Katie Lopez drove in the first run of the inning, with a double to right field that plated sophomore Morgan Welch.

Sophomore Megan Anthony would follow that up with a single through the right side of the field that knotted the game up at six runs a piece, and sophomore Cheyenna Newman would temporarily play the role of the hero with an infield single to third base that scored Lopez and made it 6-5 in favor of the Panthers. 

Sacramento's jubilation didn't even last seven pitches as San Mateo's Davis belted a 3-2 pitch over the right field fence to tie the game back up at 6-6 to lead off the bottom of the seventh.

In the top of the eighth, the Panthers would draw a one out walk, but that was the extent of their attempt at regaining the lead. The Bulldogs meanwhile would load up the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Freshman Kali Sargent got out of the jam though, getting a shallow pop to the short stop who stood on the edge of the grass in left field, and striking out the final batter of the inning to send it to the ninth.

Sacramento would return the favor in the top of the ninth, filling up the base paths with two outs. The Panthers had similar success though, as the inning ended on a groundout. In the bottom of the ninth, Sargent gave up a leadoff walk, but got a foul pop out, fly out to left, and a lineout to first to end any chance of the Bulldogs winning the game then.

In the top of the 10th meanwhile, Sacramento picked up where they left off the ninth loading the bases back up, this time with one out. Unlike the ninth though, the Panthers got the go ahead run when Lopez lifted a deep enough fly ball to left field that brought in Leffle from third to make it 7-6. In the bottom half of the inning, Sargent went to work against the top of the Bulldog order. She got a pair of groundouts and a pop out behind second base to seal the victory for the Panthers.

Sargent (26-5) pitched 5.1 innings on the evening, giving up five hits, six runs (only two of which were earned), an unusually high four walks, and recorded three strikeouts. Sophomore Jostyn Bebout went 4.2 innings, scattering seven hits, with no runs, and no walks.

Sacramento City College advances to the State Championship Game for first time since 2004, which was the last time, the Panthers won a State title. The state title game is set for a 12:00 PM first pitch on Sunday.