Bertuccio home run lifts Golden Valley softball over Buhach Colony

Marissa Bertuccio brings a wide range of skills to a softball game.

The Golden Valley High School freshman has speed, good range, a big arm and can hold her own in the batter’s box.

The full arsenal was on display against Buhach Colony on Wednesday afternoon at Joe Herb Park. Bertuccio showed off the cannon in converting two double plays, reached base four times and pitched a scoreless inning to earn the save in the Cougars’ 5-4 victory.

Her biggest contribution came in the bottom of the sixth inning, after Buhach Colony took the lead in the top of the inning with three runs. With the tying run on second base, Bertuccio turned on a fastball up in the zone and launched it well over the left fielder. She never slowed off the crack of the bat and sprinted around the bases for an inside-the-park home run without a throw.

“We weren’t trying to get all the runs back at once. We were just focused on getting one hit at a time after they took the lead,” Bertuccio said. “I just wanted to get a ball in play and get that runner home from second any way I could. I swung at the first pitch I liked. I knew I hit it pretty well and that I needed to run.”

The two-run homer proved the difference in the game, but it probably should have only tied the score.

Using her methodical pace and compliment of off-speed pitches, Golden Valley starter Christiane Grijalva kept the Buhach Colony bats off balance for the better part of five innings. Her team rewarded her with a three-run lead, but the Thunder began stringing hits together in the sixth.

A leadoff walk and a well-executed hit-and-run by Selena Sandoval gave Buhach runners on second and third with no outs. Julia Pinasco wasted no time tying the score by ripping an opposite-field single to right. Kristina Ramos doubled Pinasco in two batters later to give the Thunder a 4-3 lead.

Buhach (8-8, 3-4 Central California Conference) had an opportunity to expand that lead, but Ramos didn’t tag up on a well-hit fly to center by Tatyana Anderson. The missed opportunity proved costly when Bertuccio put Golden Valley (6-11, 3-4 CCC) right back in front in the bottom of the inning.

“It’s tough, because the game probably should have been tied,” Thunder coach Nancy Williamson said. “That was a coaching mistake. We thought it was a line drive off of the bat and the ball just kept carrying. The league is pretty even this year. Everyone is right there fighting for a playoff spot, and those little mistakes are what are going to decide these games.”

Even with the miscue, Buhach Colony got the pressure applied until the final out.

Still pumped up from her home run and with almost no warmup, Bertuccio was a little wild to open the seventh inning. She plunked Tia Strak, then battled back with two quick outs. A wild pitch on a third strike extended the game and put the go-ahead run on base.

The runners advanced to second and third with Pinasco at the plate. The sophomore fell behind 0-2 and then fouled off three pitches before Bertuccio got one by her to end the game.

The Cougars’ second straight conference win ties them with the Thunder for the league’s third and final playoff spot.

“That’s the difference between this team today and a month ago,” Golden Valley coach Ross Cruickshanks said. “A couple weeks ago, we would not have had the confidence to come back after giving up the lead.

“They began to figure Christiane out a little bit in the sixth, but Marissa delivered the clutch hit and we were able to finish off the win. It definitely helps having Christiane back after her being out for so long. This team is coming together at the right time.”

Atwater 3, Turlock 0 in Turlock – Cheyenne Mahy struck out 11 in a one-hit shutout to help the Falcons (8-6, 4-3 CCC) grab sole possession of second place in the CCC.

Brittany Massa provided all the offense Mahy would need by driving in two runs.

Merced 9, Pitman 1 in Turlock – Rheanne Lewis homered for the second game in a row, and Madilyn Nickles four hits and drove in two runs as the Bears (12-4, 7-0 CCC) remained undefeated in the CCC.

Nickles struck out 12 and limited the Pride to one run and five hits.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 8:14 PM with the headline "Bertuccio home run lifts Golden Valley softball over Buhach Colony."