Coyotes win historic game
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
The Madera Coyotes softball team surrounds head coach Judy Shaubach during a ceremony to honor the coach’s 700th victory after Friday’s 1-0 win against San Joaquin Memorial.
After winning the first five games of the County/Metro Athletic Conference and facing a team they beat 11-0 the first time, the Madera Coyotes softball team looked prime for a big win over San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno at Zimmerman Field.
However, Friday’s game was the perfect example of why games are played on the field and not by what people think.
For the second straight time this season, the Coyotes held the Panthers without a hit. However, San Joaquin Memorial also held the Coyotes without a hit for the first time.
Alexis Galvan tossed her second no-hitter of the season, her sixth in her career, She struck out 13 batters and didn’t walk one. She faced the minimum 21 batters. The only runner reached on an error in the first and the runner was erased by leaving the bag too early.
However, the Coyotes couldn’t figure out Memorial pitcher Kaia Galaviz. She allowed on unearned run and struck out seven batters. She also walked four batters.
Galvan came out on a mission and was determined not to allow a hit to the Panthers. She struck out a batter in every inning. She struck out the side on 10 pitches in the second and struck out the side in the seventh inning for the win.
The Coyotes may have been distracted with a celebration to come after the game to celebrate head coach Judy Shaubach’s 700th and 701st victories.
Meanwhile, the Coyotes put runners on base, but couldn’t get them home.
Erika Perez drew a lead-off walk in the bottom of the first inning. Nevaeh Galvan put down a bunt and Perez advanced all the way to third.
Brianah Hamilton hit a rifle to the first baseman, who dropped the ball. She stepped on first, but Perez remained at third. Galaviz finished the inning with a strikeout.
Madera put the lone run on the board in the bottom of the second. Sadie Gonzalez drew walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch to Leilani Moreno.
Moreno put down a bunt and the throw to get her at first went into right field. Gonzalez jogged home with the eventual game winning run.
Perez followed by drawing a walk and the runners advanced on another Galvan sacrifice.
Hamilton hit a shot to the shortstop, who threw home to get Moreno tryng to score. Hamilton tried to take second on the play, but was also thrown out for a double play to end the threat.
Madera put another runner in scoring position in the fourth when Kailea Ricks drew a full-count, two out walk. She stole second, but the next batter popped out to end the inning.
Galaviz closed out the game by retiring the final seven batters in order.
