It was indeed a spirited run through the playoffs that fell just a bit short.
The Dos Palos Bronco varsity softball team ended its season last Saturday afternoon in the finals of the Central Section Div. V bracket.
Dos Palos, seeded No. 12, made it to the championship contest with a gritty 2-1 upset of No. 1 Woodlake. That set up a championship tilt at Fresno State’s Margie Wright Diamond against the No. 2 seed Boron Bobcats from eastern Kern County. This was the second straight championship appearance by the Bobcats, who lost in the finals last year to Caruthers.
But this time behind the pitching of veteran right-hander Hailey Davis, the Bobcats upended the Broncos 6-1.
The game was marred by fielding errors by both teams. Dos Palos made four errors, many extending innings and leading to scoring opportunities for Boron.
The Bobcats actually finished with five errors, but when they needed someone to pick them up, Davis was right there. The senior allowed only two hits and struck out 11, including four straight.
Dos Palos was able to take an early lead after shortstop Denise Fonseca led the game off with a walk. Kiley Lish then followed with a perfect drag bunt between Davis and her first baseman. After a double steal put runners on second and third, Lilliana Coronado hit a fly ball behind second base. It was caught, and Fonseca sprinted to the plate and beat the throw.
Bronco right-hander Breanne Raney was able to hold the Bobcats scoreless through the first three innings with solid play from her defense.
But things unraveled in the fourth inning. A misplayed fly ball in the outfield ultimately led to three runs. The Broncos were able to regroup and limit the damage with a strikeout and a fine play on a grounder by Fonseca.
Two more errors by the Broncos in the fifth inning led to three more runs and put the game away.
As a No. 12 seed, Dos Palos had to do a lot of travelling to make it to the championship game. They opened with a win at Mira Monte-Bakersfield followed by another win at Bishop Union before beating Woodlake. They ended the season with a 13-9 record, including 8-2 in the West Sierra League.
