Perfect game punctuates sweep of Panthers
Benny Munoz/The Madera Tribune
Madera’s Aislynn Jordan connects for a three-run home run during the Coyotes’ 16-0 victory over the San Joaquin Memorial Panthers.
A perfect way to end an almost perfect week for the Madera Coyotes softball team was, indeed, a perfect game against the San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno Panthers at Zimmerman Field.
Madera pitcher Alexis Galvan allowed just two balls in play in tossing a five-inning perfect game, her first as a Coyote, and third no-hitter overall. She struck out 13 batters in Thursday’s 16-0 rout over the Panthers.
The perfect game came just two days after she was shaky against the Panthers. She didn’t record an out against the Panthers and was relieved after the first five batters reached base and allowed three runs. She atoned herself by hitting her first varsity home run.
Sarah Walter led the team with six hits in seven at-bats in the two games. She scored seven runs and drove in three. Erika Perez was 6-for-8 in the two games with five RBI’s. Briannah Hamilton hit her sixth home run of the year in the second game to tie the school record for home runs in a season (Emily Chavira, 2016).
After a 20-7 victory on Tuesday, Galvan vowed not to allow the Panthers to get to her. After a groundout to the second player of the game, she struck out the next 12 batters before getting a popout to end the game.
The Coyotes were set down in order in the first inning, but scored 16 runs over the next three.
The scoring started when Hamilton sent the fourth pitch she saw over the centerfield fence for her sixth home run of the season to tie the school record.
Lealani Ricks followed with a bunt single and she stole second. After a flyout, Galvan doubled to left-center to drive home Ricks.
Walter reached on an error, but a wild throw to get her at first allowed pinch-runner Meah Avila to score and Walter to slide into third. The throw from the outfield went wild so Walter got up and scored for a Little League home run and a 4-0 lead.
In the third, Kailea Ricks opened the inning with a single up the middle. After she stole second and the next batter flew out, Hamilton drove her in with a single to left. The ball got by the left fielder and Hamilton slid into third. Lealani Ricks grounded out and Hamilton scored for a 6-0 lead.
Nunez started a nobody on, two out rally with a fly ball to left that was misplayed for a two-base error. Galvan reached on a misplayed ball by the center fielder to drive in Nunez.
Walter split the left-centerfield gap with a line drive. That scored pinch-runner Avila while Walter went into third for a triple. Erika Perez singled to right to drive home Walter for a 9-0 lead.
Madera put the game away with seven runs in the fourth. Kailea Ricks started the rally by drawing a four-pitch walk. She stole second and Hamilton drew a one-out walk.
Aislynn Jordan came in to pinch-hit for Lealani Ricks. She launched a 1-2 pitch way over the centerfield fence for a three-run home run and a 12-0 lead.
Nunez kept the rally going with a double over the left fielder’s head. Galvan reached on a misplayed fly ball to drive in pinch-runner Jocelyn Mendez. Walter singled up the middle to drive in pinch-runner Avila.
Perez singled to right and Walter advanced to third. Nevaeh Galvan grounded out and Walter scored. Kailea Ricks closed the coring with a single to center to drive in Perez for the 16-0 victory.
Madera hosts Edison-Fresno at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and will play at Edison on Thursday.
