Gregori softball storms into Division I semifinals with two upset wins

Gregori High School’s softball team played the role of giant killer Saturday.

The sixth-seeded Jaguars (19-6) used the long ball, timely hitting and the right arm of Madison Marsh to upset No. 3 seed Vacaville and No. 2 Woodcreek-Roseville at the Sacramento Softball Complex to advance to Monday night’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division I matchup against top-seeded Sheldon-Elk Grove in the winners’ bracket final at 7 p.m.

“We’re definitely pumped for Monday,” senior Jasmine Temple said. “We know Sheldon is a great team, but after today, we gained a lot of confidence.”

Temple played key roles in both wins Saturday, driving in the go-ahead run with an RBI double in the seventh inning of a 5-4 win over Vacaville. Temple then jump-started the Gregori offense with a two-run home run in the first inning of a 5-3 win over Woodcreek.

“Big day,” Jaguars coach Alannah Johns said. “Jasmine did really well. She’s seeing the ball and waiting for her pitch. She executed today.”

Vacaville starter Katie Kibby struggled with her control out of the gate, and the Jaguars made her pay. Kibby walked Nikki Alexander and hit Nicole Stewart and Temple to load the bases.

Marsh then launched a grand slam to give the Jags a 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs chipped away at the lead before pulling even in the fifth.

Temple delivered the winning run in the seventh with an RBI double to drive in Aaliyah Swan, who was hit by a pitch.

“I knew (Kibby) is a great pitcher,” Temple said. “I went up there expecting to see the rise ball. I didn’t chase anything. I kept the momentum from my early at-bats. I looked for my pitch and I got it.”

Marsh went the distance, giving up two earned runs despite walking eight and surrendering four hits.

The Jaguars again took an early lead against Woodcreek as Temple drove in Alexander and Swan with a two-run double in the first.

Temple hit a solo homer in the third and Ashley McBay plated sister Alli McBay with an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-0.

“It definitely helps to get the lead early in games,” Temple said. “Normally, the first team to score keeps the momentum going and home runs definitely got us going.”

The Timberwolves (19-7) battled back as Kayla Curtan hit a two-run single to cut the lead to 4-3 in the fifth. Woodcreek loaded the bases later in the inning.

Woodcreek’s Jessica Giordanengo hit a line drive that looked as if it might clear the bases, but Ashley McBay made a nice running catch in center field to end the inning.

Marsh gave herself a big insurance run with an RBI double in the seventh and then finished her second complete game in the circle. Marsh struck out nine and scattered five hits and three walks.

“Believe. That’s what we kept telling them,” said Johns, who has coached the Jaguars for three seasons. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do this together. This is the first time we’ve gotten this far in the playoffs since I’ve been here. The girls are ecstatic. They want this really bad.”

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 8:11 PM with the headline "Gregori softball storms into Division I semifinals with two upset wins."