The Justin-Siena softball team was feeling good on Senior Day at Napa Valley College, and visiting Novato couldn’t have been more accommodating.
Only two Hornets hits marred a dominant pitching performance by Braves captain Stephanie Campos Wednesday on route to a 10-0 Marin County Athletic League win. The game was called in the sixth inning due to the 10-run mercy rule.
“Stephanie’s been doing the job for us all year and since our other pitcher, Claire Garcia, got injured, Steph has really stepped up to the plate,” said a smiling head coach Tim Garcia after the game.
Campos was obviously enjoying herself as her teammates on defense, especially Mel Corona at shortstop, turned in several stellar plays to keep Novato (3-16, 2-13 MCAL) off the board.
“I feel pretty good about the two-hitter. I’m certainly not going to complain,” Campos grinned. “My teammates really helped me out. I just put it over the plate and our defense did the job. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The Braves’ big bats had the geese and seagulls running for cover most of the game. Justin-Siena (9-13, 4-11 MCAL) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, with the usual suspects doing most of the damage.
After Jocelyn Stojack and Corona beat out bunts for singles, catcher Vianca Dagnino stepped to the plate with her gaudy .545 batting average and promptly drove in both runners with a double down the right-field line. Not to be outdone, Clare Garcia – with a .515 batting average – tripled to deep right, driving in Dagnino with the third run.
“Our hitters were really getting on top of the ball today,” said Coach Garcia. “The girls were really loose and we played really well.”
Dagnino wasn’t through by a long shot.
In the second inning, she banged a double to left again, scoring Stojack and Corona for a 5-0 lead. In the fourth inning, Dagnino doubled for a third time to drive in another run. She was followed by Garcia, who drove in the seventh run, and fans could sense the game was not going to go the distance.
Garcia drove in another pair in the sixth when her sinking liner got past the Novato center fielder. Clare Halsey followed with a single that drove in Garcia with the 10th run, ending the game, and the Braves were ready to celebrate.
One couldn’t blame Coach Garcia for looking ahead after the strong performance by his team.
“I’m proud of our players. They did a good job today,” he said. “We have the playoffs coming up and there are some really talented teams like San Marin (19-0, 15-0 MCAL) and Marin Catholic (14-1 MCAL).”
The Braves have to beat the Hornets again Thursday in Novato to clinch a spot in next week’s MCAL playoffs. But they should make the CIF North Coast Section playoffs regardless.
Campos is optimistic about Justin-Siena’s chances.
“If we play like we played today, I think we have a pretty good chance in the playoffs, to be honest with you,” she said. “It’s definitely going to be tough, but I believe there’s nothing these girls can’t do.”
The Braves honored seniors Ally Jackson, Caitlin Mayo, Campos, Dagnino and Corona in pre-game festivities.
While Dagnino will be continuing her softball career at Dominican University of California in San Rafael, Campos said this season is it for her.
“I’m going to miss softball,” she said. “I’ve been playing since I was 5.”
