Prep postseason softball: Hollister's two-out hitting sinks Vanden in NorCals

The Hollister High School softball team never wavered at the plate in Tuesday's Northern California Division II regional playoff opener.

The fifth-seeded Haybalers scored nine runs, six with two outs, en route to a 9-3 victory over fourth-seeded Vanden.

"I feel like we're more talented, but they wanted it more," Vanden head Anthony Trujillo said. "You can't just throw your glove on the field and think that you're gonna win."

While Hollister consistently capitalized with runners in scoring position, the Vikings stranded three runners in the first inning and two more in the third. Trujillo attributed the struggles to the distractions that come with the end of the school year.

"At the end of the year, you're thinking about getting out of school, going into the summer, but that's not an excuse," Trujillo said. "I told them you don't win just because we have more talent. You gotta be prepared. You gotta be focused."

Despite the loss, Trujillo said he couldn't be prouder of the Vikings for making their second consecutive trip to NorCals.

"We're rookies when it comes to this," the coach said. "The focus wasn't okay, but I'm very proud of them. I wanted to get mad but at the same time, I couldn't. They tried their hardest."

Vanden qualified for NorCals last year after capturing the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship. The Vikings nearly defended their crown, but fell 4-1 to nationally ranked Destiny Christian Academy in the title game at Sacramento State University on May 23.

The expectations will only rise from here on out, as the Vikings are set to return all but one player from this year's team, senior third baseman Daisy Pallares.

"I'm looking forward to going right back because I got little ones, I got babies on the team," Trujillo said. "We have a bright future."

In the last game of her four-year varsity career, Pallares drew two walks and knocked an RBI double to center field. Junior Niayli Calvo and sophomore Ayrelyn Chavez chipped in two hits apiece.

The Vikings scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the rally was far too late. Hollister's 10 hits, coupled with Vanden's four errors, helped the Haybalers build a 9-1 lead entering the final frame.

Freshman sensation Sidney Esparza, who ranks 12th in the Central Coast Section with 153 strikeouts, collected the win in the circle, striking out eight while allowing three runs in a complete seven-inning outing.

The Haybalers gave Esparza plenty of support early, scoring two runs in the first inning and three more in the second. Senior Ashlee Lo delivered the biggest hit of the evening, launching a solo home run to right-center field in the third.

"I don't want to say I'm happy because we lost, but I felt like the kids had a good season," Trujillo said. "We're gonna come back next year and get right back to it."

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 2:07 AM.