GONZALES — With only two weeks left in the season and one game behind King City in the Cypress Division, the Gonzales Spartans softball team needed the Mustangs to suffer a loss to open the door for winning a league title.
On May 6, the Lady Spartans received an early Christmas present as Pacific Grove beat King City by a score of 5-2. The loss created a three-way tie for the lead in the Cypress Division between Gonzales, King City and Pacific Grove.
With only playing one game last week, the Lady Spartans were able to take care of business, beating Rancho San Juan, 14-3, and extending their winning streak to eight games.
On that Friday, when Gonzales got the news of King City’s loss, the door opened for the Lady Spartans to capture a share of the Cypress Division.
“It would obviously mean a lot,” Gonzales pitcher Alex Guerrero said. “No matter the sport, it’s always the goal to win the title. It’s within reach, and I 100% believe in our team.”
Standing in the way of clinching a share of the title was the Pacific Grove Breakers, who the Lady Spartans defeated on April 11, 4-1.
When the Spartans traveled to Pacific Grove on Tuesday, they weren’t the only team playing for a shot at a league title. If the Breakers beat Gonzales, they would clinch a share of the league title and eliminate Gonzales from title contention.
The Lady Spartans understood the importance and meaning of this game, and how much capturing a league title would mean for the program and the City of Gonzales.
“It would mean a lot to all of us because it has been over two years since Gonzales softball has won a title,” said Spartans player Celeste Camarena. “Winning this title would be amazing for our softball program.”
Since the Lady Spartans have been on this eight-game winning streak, they know not to let situations get too big. When they faced Pacific Grove on May 10, they were playing for each other, and that bond is so strong that they want to send their senior teammates off with a league title.
“I love our team, and we’re all very close, and winning the title with them would mean so much,” Guerrero said. “Especially with our seniors, I just want them to have a memorable final ride.”
In the end, Gonzales lost to Pacific Grove, 5-3, dashing their title hopes. King City and Pacific Grove were named this season’s league co-champs.
