Saint Francis, Los Altos reach CCS quarterfinals
By: JOHN REID Daily News Staff Writer
Posted May 17
Los Altos and Saint Francis-Mountain View were victorious in their respective Central Coast Section softball first-round games Wednesday. Castilleja-Palo Alto and Sequoia-Redwood City saw their seasons end.
No. 6 Saint Francis erupted for 11 hits in a 3-1 Div. I victory over visiting No. 11 North Salinas. The Lancers (18-8) square off with No. 3 San Benito-Hollister (20-3) in Saturday’s quarterfinals at the Salinas Sports Complex at 12:10 p.m. The Balers are the six-time defending Div. I champions.
There were plenty of stars at the plate for the Lancers (18-8), starting with junior leadoff hitter Jackie Hinojosa, who went 4-for-4.
“Her bat is so hot,” Saint Francis coach Paula Martinez said. “She actually led our league with a .579 batting average.”
Carolyn McGuire, who went 2-for-3 with a double, drove in Hinojosa with a single in the bottom of the first. North Salinas (17-10) tied the score in the top of the third.
Saint Francis reclaimed the lead for good in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single by Jessie Hinojosa. Sophomore Maddie Damore added an insurance run with a massive blast to left-center for an inside-the park home run. Lancers ace Alli Quinn scattered four hits, walking one, while striking out three in a complete-game effort.
“Against a good-hitting North Salinas team, she had to hit her spots,” Martinez said.
