Down 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning with the bases loaded and one out, the West Valley softball team looked poised to rally against San Jose City. But it was not to be, as the Vikings (21-10, 6-3 Coast) fell to their crosstown Coast rivals 5-1 in San Jose Tuesday afternoon.
Michelle Gonzales and Isabella Gallegos opened the pivital fifth with back-to-back singles. With Gonzales at third and Gallegos at first, Viking coach Vicky Piatt called for a double steal that was perfectly executed and resulted in a Gonzales run. Dezmyre Cruz pushed Gallegos to third on a single to right and then advanced to second on an error by the SJCC rightfielder. Abigail Desa drew a one-out walk to load the bases. But, a strikeout and a groundout back to the circle extinguished the West Valley rally.
Viking bats accounted for six singles - and numerous line-drive outs - and were unable to overcome a trio oh homers by the Jaguars (28-3, 8-1). West Valley starter Shelby White struck out four and surrendered no walks in three innings before giving way to reliever America Maples in the fourth. Maples gave up one run on one hit and had five Ks.
West Valley takes a break from Coast competition with an April 8 trip to Modesto (11-19, 3-12 Big 8). First pitch is 3:00pm.