STOCKTON – The Ripon softball team did something Saturday nobody has done this year.

The Indians handed Hughson its first loss of the season on Saturday, but unfortunately for them they needed to beat them twice for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship. Faced with elimination, Ripon topped its Trans-Valley League rival 3-1 before Hughson rebounded for a 7-2 win and the blue banner on Don Smiley Field at the Arnaiz Softball Complex.

“This is absolutely not how we wanted to end it,” Indians coach Robert Vernon said. “But we pressed them and made them earn it because they haven’t had a competitive game in a while.

“I was proud of our girls winning the first game and forcing an ‘if’ game. We told the girls to play their hearts out and leave it all on the field and I think they did that.”

In the first game, Karla Calderon got Ripon (23-8) on the board when she came around to score on a misplayed sacrifice bunt by Taylor Jaquez in the third inning. Mikaela Ferreira (2 for 4, home run) hit a solo home run to lead off the Indians fourth to make it 2-0 and in fourth Calderon singled in Ferreira in the sixth for the game’s final run.

“It was middle-in which is my favorite pitch,” Ferreira of her home-run blast. “And it was high, too. I just turned on it – it was perfect.

Danielle Sperry limited Hughson (22-1) to four hits in the first game and started the second before leaving in the fifth. 

“Danielle (Sperry) pitched her heart out,” Vernon said. “She just ran out of gas. Shorty (Ferreira) had a great tournament,as did Felicia (Ceja).

“It was a group effort – they played their hearts out and I am proud of them.”

Trailing 2-0 going into the fifth inning in the second game, Shay Furtado led off the frame for Ripon with a walk. Darian Vandermaaten was hit by a pitch and Alex Gonzales beat out a bunt to load the bases. Ferreira stroked a two-RBI single to tie the score, but the Huskies put up three in the bottom of the inning and added two more in the sixth.

“It has been a long time – if ever – that Ripon has been a runner-up in the section,” Vernon said. “We are disappointed, obviously, but we played well and can go home with our heads held high. To my knowledge we have never made it this far.”



East Union 7,
Ponderosa-Shingle
Springs 1

The Lancers scored three in the first inning Saturday and coasted to a 7-1 victory Saturday over Ponderosa of Shingle Springs in third round action of the SJS Division III playoffs at the Sacramento Softball Complex.

Alexis Erich led the 11-hit parade for East Union (26-2) by going 3 for 3 with four RBI, including a tworun home run and and scoring two runs. Alejandra Rascon was 2 for 3 with an RBI while Samantha Owen (two RBI, two runs) and Michelle Castro each went 2 for 3. Mikayla Bongi pitched six innings, striking out three and allowing four hits.

The loss knocks the Bruins (24-4) into the consolation bracket and sets up a showdown in the semifinal game on Tuesday between the No.2 Lancers and No. 1 Pioneer-Woodland at 4 p.m.

“It was a great team effort,” East Union coach Brian Goulart said. “(Mikayla) Bongo pitched very well and our team defense was flawless.

“I am looking forward to the match-up with Pioneer on Tuesday.