Grizzlies upset in D-IV quarterfinals

Wednesday’s Division IV quarterfinals between No. 8 Granite Hills and No. 9 McLane (Fresno) was supposed to continue what has been a fairytale season for Grizzlies softball in 2010.

Instead, Granite’s season came tumbling back to earth after a 7-3 defeat at the hands of the Highlanders.

Beset by a slew of errors (eight in all), the Grizzlies seemed unable to get into their offensive groove to which they’d become accustomed, totaling eight hits.

“I know if they step to the plate, they’ll score runs,” Granite coach Terry Williams said. “But the errors hurt.”

Despite a pair of hiccups in the first and third innings, Granite held a top-heavy McLane lineup to just two runs through the first four innings while averting a potential disaster in the third when the Highlanders twice loaded the bases.

But the seams in the defense began to crack and McLane erupted for four runs in the fifth, prolonged by a pair of fielding errors that allowed uncontested trips to first base.

Granite shortstop Marykate Herrera, known all season for a sure-handed glove, uncharacteristically botched a pair of grounders.

“I think I had more errors than I’ve had in multiple games altogether,” the four-year varsity player said. “I can’t even say what that was. It just didn’t go into my glove.”

Added Williams: “Marykate is a spark plug on this team. People look up to her. She rarely makes errors and when that happens, I go, ‘What’s up?’”

McLane’s Charsalle Strickland doubled for one of her two RBIs to put the lead at 3-1. But with two outs to their credit, the Grizzlies couldn’t finish off the inning, allowing three more RBI hits by Stevie Underwood, Cynthia Villarreal and Camille Reese.

“Our heads weren’t into the game as much as we wanted,” senior centerfielder Jennifer Landers said.

Still, the Grizzlies were never entirely out of it.

Granite catcher Zoe Kisling, another four-year varsity member, started the final inning with a baseline single.

Tommi Harlien followed suit with another single and Marissa Martinez took a hit by the pitcher to load it up for Landers.

“I believe with the bases loaded, I had the right girl up,” Williams said. “She’s one of my top hitters on the team.”

Landers quickly fell behind the count with a foul and a strike, but on the fourth pitch, the senior popped straight up near third base — an easy out for Elizabeth Vasquez.

“I was going for a level swing, but it went high,” Landers said. “It’s hard to have the last out as a senior because you want it so bad.”

In the batter’s box after Landers would’ve been Herrera, who had been on fire with a single and a double in her previous two at-bats.

Kisling cautioned against playing a game of ‘What if?’, saying the team’s attitude has never been that of a defeatist.

“Terry taught us a lot about keeping our heads up,” she said. “How we did this year will carry on to the years to come.”

Those years will likely be centered around freshman Ashley Halopoff, who showed no signs of nerves in her first postseason appearance.

With a 2-and-2 count in the second inning, Halopoff blasted a shot over the left-center wall by at least 10 feet. It was the first home run for any Grizzly all year.

“Playoffs, home game, freshman year... oh my gosh,” she said. “Coach told me to keep my head on the ball and make contact. I guess I did! I think it pumped our team up.”

Halopoff doubled off the wall in the fifth inning and was granted an extra base after she ran into second baseman Villarreal, who was obstructing the base path.

Harlien rewarded her shot by driving Halopoff home with a double to left field to get within 6-2.

“Ashley is great,” Williams said. “She’s gonna be something to look forward to in the next few years.”

The Grizzlies picked up their third run in the final frame when Kaitlyn Fife knocked a bloop single to center field to score Debra Rodriguez, who pinch ran for Kisling.

But the rest of the lineup couldn’t crack McLane pitcher Michelle Martinez — who stands no taller than five feet.

Martinez threw an assortment of high-risers and a rolled out a corkscrew pitch that bested Halopoff in the seventh inning for the final of her eight strikeouts.

Fife, another senior who played her final game, struck out two and walked one, but induced multiple ground-outs.

The Grizzlies finished the season at 15-11 (4-8 EYL), defeating city rivals Porterville and Monache.

“Overall, we had a great season,” Landers said. “Our goal was to be city champs and that’s something Granite hadn’t done in a long time.”