Hollister High softball knocked off in CCS semis, still alive in postseason play

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A familiar Archbishop Mitty arm was crucial in knocking Hollister High softball out of the Central Coast Section semifinals by a score of 6-1 on May 27. 

Despite the loss, the Balers qualified for the Northern California tournament which starts on June 2 thanks to their victory over Los Gatos High School in the quarterfinals of the Open Division playoffs. 

Hollister head coach Andrew Barragan said the Balers have faced Mitty pitcher Kyleigh Mace multiple times since 2023 when the team won its only NorCal championship.

“She vowed never to lose against Hollister so every time she comes to Hollister or plays us she elevates her game,” Barragan said. “We knew we were in for a dog fight with her. She kept us off balance.”

The Balers’ offense tried to respond in the fourth inning after going down 3-0 early on. First baseman Sophia Galindo followed left fielder De’zeyer Fa’agai’s single with a double, knocking in the Balers’ only run.

Galindo said she hoped the back-to-back hits would serve as a spark for the offense.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen, like any little thing could just be a turnover in energy,” she said. “The game didn’t work out in our favor today.”

Hollister’s other hit came in the sixth inning when third baseman Madalyne Rodriguez hit a single after the previous batter hit into a double play. The Balers also drew three walks in the game while striking out 10 times.

The Balers initially threatened in the first inning after drawing back-to-back walks with one out. Both runners advanced on a double steal when the Balers made the second out on a strikeout. The next batter put the ball in play but Mitty’s shortstop tracked it down with a last-minute leap to end the inning.

Galindo and Barragan said the team made adjustments the second time through the batting order and that it was a great experience for the young team. Six of the starters, including the designated hitter, were either freshman or sophomores. 

“Overall, I’m proud of the girls,” Barragan said.

As to defense, Barragan said it was an unlikely game for the Balers, who committed a couple of errors that led to two runs. Freshman ace pitcher Sidney Esparza also had a few balls that slipped out of her hand during pitches.

“That doesn’t happen to her all year,” Barragan said of Esparza’s performance. “But she was still able to kind of keep us in position the whole game.”

Esparza pitched a complete game, striking out eight and allowing eight walks and seven hits. Offensively she contributed with two walks.

According to the California Interscholastic Federation, the seedings, brackets and host sites for the regional tournament will be released May 31. The first round is scheduled to begin June 2.

The semifinals are scheduled for June 4 and the championship on June 6. All the games start at 4 p.m.

Hollister won the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Gabilan division with a 21-7 overall record.

More sports

Hollister High baseball was eliminated in the Central Coast Section Division 3 semifinals by Wilcox by a score of 7-0 on May 26. Wilcox blew the game open in the sixth inning when it scored five of its runs. 

Also in CCS competition, Hollister senior swimmer Mateo Rosales broke a school record at the section championships on May 8. He achieved the benchmark in the 100-yard butterfly with a personal best time of 52.02. The time, however, was just shy of qualifying him into the finals. 

Rosales also recorded two other personal best swims including in the 400 freestyle relay with a split time of 47.78.

And, the Baler girls track and field team broke a school record on the 4X100 rally with a time of 48.33 at the section finals on May 23. The time was good for sixth place overall.

According to girls track and field coach Ryan Shorey, the record had stood since 2001.

“All four girls from that team are returning so we are excited for what is to come with that group,” he said. 

The team includes Lianni Preciado, Paige Pierson, Ana Kaplansky and Rylee Skow.

BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.