Castro caps wild UC Merced comeback against Menlo

Christina Castro is having herself a week.

The recently named California Pacific Conference Freshman of the Year showed how she earned the title with the UC Merced women’s basketball team’s season on the line Sunday afternoon.

Castro capped a 17-point comeback by burying a three-pointer to tie the score in the final minute. Her steal and pull-up jumper with six seconds left proved the difference as the Bobcats knocked off top-seeded Menlo 51-49 in the semifinals of the Cal Pac Tournament.

It was Merced’s first victory over Menlo and the NAIA Division II No. 13 Oaks’ (22-5) first loss to a conference team since January 2012. Castro finished with 12 points, including the final eight. Alexis Wu led the Bobcats with 14 points.

It was a stunning comeback after Menlo led 33-16 at halftime.

No. 4 UC Merced (13-11) will take on No. 3 La Sierra (10-16), which upset tournament host and No. 2 seed Cal Maritime 61-55, in the Cal Pac championship game Tuesday. The winner receives a bid to the NAIA Division II Tournament. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

The victory ensures UC Merced will finish with its first winning record in school history. The Bobcats split the season series with La Sierra with each team holding serve at home.

College baseball

Merced College 6, Sequoias 3 in Visalia – Adam Nascimento had a two-run single in the seventh inning and Nate McGhee allowed two earned runs in eight innings for the Blue Devils (10-5, 2-1 CVC) in their victory.

College softball

West Valley 10, Merced College 2 in Clovis – Haruka Nukina and Taylor Leslie each singled in a run, but the She-Devils (2-11) couldn’t keep pace with West Valley in the Bash in Fresno.

High school baseball

Chowchilla Tournament in Chowchilla – Rolando Flores and Carlos Lara each racked up five hits and drove in a run as Dos Palos split two games. The Broncos fell to Los Banos 4-3 but bounced back with a 5-1 victory over Le Grand.

High school soccer

Gregori 2, Buhach Colony 1 (2 OT) in Turlock – Elise Phonesavanh provided an equalizer in the first half, but the Thunder had to settle for second place in the Pitman Tournament as Gregori converted a corner kick in the final minute of the second overtime.

Buhach Colony (3-1) just missed out on a perfect run through the tournament, outscoring its group 11-2.

Megan Pust scored four goals and goalkeeper Marina Arroyo made 20 saves to help Golden Valley go 2-2 in the tournament.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 3:37 PM with the headline "Castro caps wild UC Merced comeback against Menlo."