IRVINE — There were so many moments and opportunities for California’s softball team to get the final out against Gahr during Saturday’s CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship at Deanna Manning Stadium, but Gahr kept finding ways to stay alive.
With California ready to explode out of the dugout to celebrate the school’s first title, Gahr senior Marley Cortez would have none of it.
Cortez belted a two-out grounder up the middle that barely skipped past Cal’s diving shortstop Shiann Gil for a single that scored Larissa Flores and Natalia Hill and gave Gahr a wild, come-from-behind victory, 5-4, with a walk-off finish.
Gahr, which was shut out through five innings, scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score at 3-3.
California’s Shirley Acevedo looked like she might be the hero when she gave the Condors the lead back in the top of the seventh inning with a towering solo home run for a 4-3 lead.
But it set the stage for another comeback, and the Gladiators and Cortez found a way.
Gahr’s Marley Cortez talks after driving in the game winner in the B7 to beat Cal 5-4 for the D2 title pic.twitter.com/4GgpnOqPae
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) May 19, 2024
Gahr wins on a walkoff in the B7, Marley Cortez drives in the tying and winning runner to beat Cal, 5-4, for the Division 2 title. pic.twitter.com/mEWltLObBp
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) May 19, 2024
“Honestly I was a little nervous, but I took a couple of deep breaths and was like I’m due for a hit here, I just have to relax,” Cortez said. “And with everybody having my back, I was able to come through. It’s crazy, but I’m very happy we won.”
It was a heartbreaking finish for California (28-4), which had so many chances to close it out in the seventh.
Cal sophomore pitcher Alexis Salas, who had pitched the first five innings before giving way to Pricilla Ramirez to close out the sixth, returned in the seventh inning hoping to finish the game after the Condors retook the lead on Acevedo’s homer.
After Gahr led off the seventh with a single, Vivian Tavera’s sacrifice bunt attempt for the Gladiators was caught by Cal catcher Hailey Chavolla, who then threw to first for a double play.
With all the momentum in Cal’s favor with nobody on base and needing one out, Gahr somehow found a way.
Flores was walked and Hill reached base with a single. The runners moved to second and third during Cortez’s at-bat. The final out never came for the Condors, as Cortez provided the devastating final blow.
Cal’s Shirley Acevedo with a one out, no doubt about it home run to give the Condors a 4-3 lead in the 7th inning. pic.twitter.com/aJcPlC2bg4
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) May 19, 2024
Cal’s coach Jason Ramirez gave an emotional speech afterward saying how proud he was of his team, and managed a smile after talking about their tough 5-4 loss. Ramirez has been the teams’ inspiration while he battles MLS. pic.twitter.com/kSidGTwawU
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) May 19, 2024
Afterward, California coach Jason Ramirez, who has been battling ALS since last spring and whom the team desperately wanted to win the title for, wouldn’t allow his players to keep their heads down. Through his tears and emotion, Ramirez wanted to make sure his team knew how proud he was and how historic their road to the championship game was.
He made them grab the runner-up plaque and pose for pictures, and slowly, you could finally see some smiles on the faces of his players.
Yes, Ramirez admitted it was a devastating loss, but for a person who is battling something with real-life consequences, he was just proud of the journey, despite how it ended.
“I’m proud of everything they’ve done and how far they’ve came,” Ramirez said. “We didn’t give up and in the playoffs we faced a lot of adversity.”
Cal blew big leads in the seventh inning in the quarterfinals and semifinals, but each time came back to win, beating Whittier Christian in 14 innings in the quarters and Valley View in 12 innings in the semifinals.
“We had two very long games and this one came down to the end again,” Ramirez said. “I could not be more proud. The work ethic, the way they were raised and what they accomplished, it was amazing.”
Cal’s season is not over. Both Gahr and California will be in the CIF State Regional playoffs after having a week off. The brackets will be released May 25.
“We do,” Ramirez said of looking forward to state playoffs. “It’s not the way we wanted (to go), but we do. We have a chance to redeem ourselves the only way we can.”
California’s Bella Salas was the only Condors player with multiple hits, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
Salas belted a long single to center that scored Lauren Trivino for a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
The Condors kept the pressure on in the third inning, scoring two more runs.
Mia Martinez’s double was followed by Jessica Gurule’s double to score Martinez. Salas drove home Gurule for a 3-0 lead.
Gahr got a run back when Cal bobbled a potential double play ball for an error in the sixth inning, allowing Flores to score.
Later in the inning, Hill scored on a wild pitch and Rio Mendez doubled in a run to make it 3-3.
