SOFTBALL:Homestead Shuts Out Los Gatos

Homestead 2, Los Gatos 0

 The Star: Mustangs senior pitcher Hannah Strotman stepped up into the circle and worked both sides of the plate to earn her second shut out of the season allowing only six hits while striking out three batters in a 2-0 Homestead victory over Los Gatos Tuesday afternoon at Homestead High in Cupertino.

 Strotman was poised throughout the seven-inning affair. When balls were put in play the stingy interior defense and infield play from the host team cooled any hopes of a late game rally by the ‘Cats.

 Mustangs Junior Myranda Ramirez went 3-for-4 and scored one run in the win.

 Turning Point: With the game scoreless after three innings due to brilliant pitching by Strotham and Wildcats senior pitcher Kelsey Shain, things slipped away in the bottom of the fourth for Shain and the Wildcats (8-3-1, 3-1 DAL). Costly fielding errors allowed Homestead (8-1, 3-0 DAL) to take advantage as they loaded the bases with two outs. Mustangs senior Jannelle Inenaga dropped in a single into left field that broke up the scoreless game  and gave the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.

 Homestead continued to push forward in the very next frame, started off  with an infield single and stolen base. The start ended the day for the ‘Cats starting pitcher and eventually led to a key insurance run for the hosts.

With Strotham going for her second shut out of the season in the top of the seventh, Los Gatos put two runners aboard with two away.

However, the late rally didn’t have any legs as the Mustangs hurler halted the comeback try inducing a ground ball out to wrap up the victory and the shutout.

 The Quotes: “From the start, we had this game circled—for us to get this win is huge because we know that they’re (Wildcats) a strong team,” said Mustangs Head Coach Steve Allemandi when asked about division rivals Los Gatos.

 Mustangs starter Strotham echoed her coaches thoughts about the win.

 “It was really important to win against them (Wildcats) —because we know that we would be battling them for the rest of the year,” said Mustangs Hannah Strotham when asked about how pivotal this game meant to them so early in the season.

 With this win, Mustangs improve their winning streak to eight games and take a half game lead over Los Gatos in De Anza play.

 “Letting down on defense, not executing on offense, and not getting the clutch hit when necessary—basically the story of the game,” said Wildcats Head Coach Al Pezino about his team’s performance against rival Homestead. “We’ll build on this and see what we did wrong and what we can do better—hopefully more intensity and get that winning streak going again.”

 Los Gatos starting pitcher Shain is ready to move forward and play again.

  “We just need to keep our heads up and keep the intensity going for all seven innings and hopefully things turn out our way the next game,” said Wildcats pitcher Kelsey Shain after the loss to Homestead. Shain allowed two runs and struck out four during the De Anza affair on a perfect Tuesday afternoon in Silicon Valley.

 What’s Next: Homestead hosts Wilcox on Thursday ,while Los Gatos hosts Santa Clara on Thursday as well.

 Bottom Line: Basically a feel good win for the Homestead Mustangs as they sit in first place for now in De Anza play. Los Gatos will host Homestead on April 3rd in the already much anticipated grudge match.

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 H 0 0 0 1 1 0 0  -  2  11  2

 LG 0 0 0 0 0 0  0  - 0   6    3

WP: Strotham    LP: Shain