Coming off a historic win for Pitman softball, the Pride were confident going into the second round of the Division I CIF Sac-Joaquin section playoffs. But Vacaville, the fifth ranked team in California, was able to play mistake free while Pitman’s six errors led to a 9-0 loss.
In a sunny Saturday morning game at the Sacramento Sports Complex, the Pride were unable to counter against a top-notch pitcher in Katie Kibby along with strong play from the entire Bulldogs team as the Pride only tallied four hits.
Six of the nine runs were unearned after the Pride infield played one of their worst defensive games all season long and they found themselves booted out of the postseason after arguably the most successful season to-date in Pride softball history.
“You can’t play a good team in the tournament and have that many mistakes,” Pitman head coach Joe Lewis said. “They are a very good team, that’s why there are ranked in the state and nation. The worse game of the year as far as errors go and at a bad time against a team like this; [you] can’t make mistakes.”
Undefeated Vacaville improves to 25-0-1. The Pride end their season at 15-13 overall.
“Merced I feel from top to bottom has better hitters. Vacaville had a few great hitters but their shortstop [Julia DePonte] is really good, you can tell she is a standout player,” Lewis said about their Saturday rivals.
DePonte went 3-for-4 with an RBI for Saturday’s game after batting .558 with five home-runs and 33 RBI for the season.
Four runs were allowed in the first inning with two outs, as the Pride had two costly errors allow the Bulldogs to grab an early 4-0 lead.
Half of the Pride's hits came from Liz Segers, who went 2-for-2 while Hope Lassiter and Alexis Mettler each ended the game with a hit.
Mettler nearly cracked a two-run homer in the top of the sixth, but hooked the ball just foul and, unfortunately, this would be as close as the Pride came to scoring.
“We just couldn’t get anything going,” said Lewis. “I am very happy and proud of how the girls did and we accomplished something that has never been done. Not many groups can say they have been the first in anything and they are.”
Pitman will say goodbye to three starting seniors, but will return nine juniors for next year as coach Lewis is looking forward to seeing how they will mesh with the new up and comers from the junior varsity level.
“These girls set the bar high, and frosh and JV saw what we expect and look forward to next year, I am very excited,” Lewis added. “I feel next year will be another year where we will be ready to compete in a league title because we have a solid core coming back, and we have a bright future ahead for Pitman softball I think.”
