Panthers scratch past Grizzlies

Old scars were reopened for the Granite Hills High softball team.

Almost a month ago, the Grizzlies traveled to take on intra-city rival Porterville.

Leading by four runs midway through the contest, Granite Hills stumbled and eventually lost by one.

And the Grizzlies’ feelings of anguish were relived Wednesday on their home diamond.

They carried a slight advantage after three innings before the Panthers rallied to steal a 3-2 victory.

“The epitome of a rivalry game,” Grizzlies coach Gabe Rodriguez said. “They just had our number.”

And there was more than just bragging rights on the line.

The winner earned a playoff berth. The loser, well, has to read about the postseason.

“As long as we keep plugging away,” Porterville coach Lance Wallace said, “good things can happen.”

The score was tied at 2-all as both teams entered the seventh inning.

The Panthers’ (9-11, 4-6 East Yosemite League) Deanell Dohrman led off and drove a Sarah Blackburn 0-1 fastball off the left-field fence for a double.

Megan Pengilly was robbed of a base hit when her line drive was snagged by a leaping Stacey Campos at shortstop.

Campos tried to double up Dohrman at second base, but her throw slid past Natalie Garcia and the Panther hurried to third.

Alli Long took a 1-1 fastball off her arm to put runners on the corners. Regina Chavez followed and drove the first pitch she saw to right to score Pengilly and provide Porterville with a 3-2 lead.

“I just knew we needed to beat them,” Chavez said. “I just tried my hardest.”

Things could have been worse for Granite Hills, but Garcia speared a sharply hit ground ball by Laura Jaggers and got the lead runner at second.

Blackburn induced a roll out from Katelyn Ogas to slip out of the inning before any further damage was added.

“Regina came up with a big hit,” Wallace said. “It was just timely hitting in a big situation.”

The Grizzlies were unable to orchestrate a comeback with their final appearance at the plate.

Roni Herrera attempted a bunt and was thrown out by pitcher Tanaya Williams, Garcia bounced out to shortstop Sabrina Jimenez after a seven-pitch at-bat and Jenn Landers lined out to Lane Johnson at second base.

“I’m really proud of the way the girls played,” Rodriguez said. “They couldn’t have done anything better.”

Granite Hills took a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

After two quick outs, Mary Kate Herrera reached base via error and Roni Herrera drew a walk.

Garcia followed and looped a single into right field to bring Mary Kate Herrera home.

But the Panthers didn’t hang their heads.

In the top half of the fourth, Lane Johnson walked before Williams launched an inside pitch over the right-field wall to lift Porterville to a 2-1 advantage.

“That just shows you where we’ve come this year,” Wallace said. “Early in the season, we got down and just shut it down. Toward the end of the first round and into the second half, the girls don’t want to quit.”

The next inning, something happened you don’t see every day.

Garcia laced what looked to be a routine single to left, but Ogas watched as the ball slipped through her legs. Garcia sped around to third base and Ogas’ throw got away from Long. The senior Grizzly then booked it home to knot the scored at 2-apiece.

Garcia was 2-for-3 with an RBI while Campos and Deanna Alamillo were both 1-for-3.

The Grizzlies finished their season with an overall record of 9-16 and 4-8 in league play.

“I’m so happy, so proud to be these girls’ coach,” Rodriguez said. “They’ve taught me a lot and I hope they’ve had fun out here playing the game because they’re a great group of kids.”

As for Porterville, Dohrman went 2-for-3 with a double, Chavez finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, Williams went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and Johnson was 1-for-3.

The Panthers will close their regular season by hitting the road to meet with Monache at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The Marauders are coming off a blowout 8-2 loss Wednesday to Tulare Union.

“We have to stay sharp and give ourselves a chance to compete Friday,” Wallace said. “It ought to be good.”

Contact Alex K.W. Schultz at 784-5000, Ext. 1049 or aschultz@portervillerecorder.com