SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis softball team won their last two Delta League games highlighted by a 10-0 win over Monterey Trail Tuesday in the Senior Game to clinch a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth.
"We are extremely happy," said Head Coach Kevin Warren. "Our backs were against the wall. They came back in yesterday's game against Franklin and hit the heck out of the ball."
St. Francis was battling Franklin for the final spot out of the league and fell behind 6-1 before rallying and holding on for a 10-9 victory. It set up the situation Tuesday where the team needed a win over Monterey Trail and an Elk Grove win over Franklin.
The Troubies left no doubt of the result of their game, scoring five runs in the first inning and three in the second. Freshman Sage Davis homered and Bella Valentine knocked two over the fence. Senior Victoria Cimino hit one of four doubles for the team.
"It felt so nice to have my first hit of the season," said Cimino. "Everyone was cheering. I was happy and smiling on second base."
Arden Hatch and Caitlin Caldwell combined on the shutout, allowing just one hit and four walks over five innings.
The team's five senior players and team manager for recognized before the game in a pregame ceremony.
"The seniors are the leaders of the team," said Warren. "The younger players look up to them and are a great bunch of players. They are huge for us and keep our team ticking."
The dugout was decorated for all the players with balloons and ribbons hanging across the fence and door way.
"It was really good and fun," said Cimino. "Everyone came with little surprises for us. I almost cried."
With a 10-0 victory in the books, the Troubadours had to wait for the finish of the Elk Grove-Franklin game. The Wildcats had jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the game but the Thundering Herd came back to win 7-5.
"We were worried but were are thankful that we did," said Cimino about making the playoffs.
St. Francis will look forward to the announcement of the playoff bracket Thursday afternoon.
"It means so much to us," said Makayla Scott. "We have worked so hard for this whole three months. We just have to keep working hard."