Softball roundup: Golden Valley picks up first CCC win

An errant throw after a strikeout helped the Golden Valley High School softball team score the go-ahead run in the sixth inning as the Cougars defeated Atwater 3-2 on Monday at Atwater High.

Marissa Bertuccio struck out, but the ball got away from Atwater catcher Maritza Iglesias. Bertuccio ran to first and Iglesias’ throw struck Bertuccio in the helmet and bounced into right field to allow Siyra Munoz to score from third and give Golden Valley (3-5, 1-2 Central California Conference) a 3-2 lead.

Bertuccio went the distance in the circle for the Cougars to pick up the win. The Golden Valley freshman gave up two runs in the first inning and then shut out the Falcons (3-3, 1-2) the rest of the way.

Bertuccio also tripled and drove in a run.

Brittany Massa had two of the Falcons’ three hits.

Merced 10, Turlock 1 in Turlock – The Bears erupted for nine runs in the second inning to improve to 6-2 overall and 3-0 in the CCC.

Madilyn Nickles struck out 13 and gave up three hits and three walks for Merced in a game that was called after six innings because of rain. Nickles has struck out 40 hitters in her last 20 innings.

Monique Collins and Rheanne Lewis each drove in two runs for Merced.

Buhach Colony 6, Pitman 5 in Atwater – Julia Pinasco capped a wild rally with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Thunder stayed perfect in CCC play.

Buhach Colony (6-2, 3-0 CCC) couldn’t produce much early against Pitman’s Denae Finney, trailing 5-1 going into its final at-bat. The Thunder had only manufactured three total runs in their first 20 innings of league play but rallied for five in the seventh to win.

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 7:44 PM with the headline "Softball roundup: Golden Valley picks up first CCC win."