Saint Francis Overcomes Salinas in CCS Playoff Showdown, 6–1
In a CCS softball playoff contest that showcased timely hitting, dominant pitching, and heads-up base running, Saint Francis pulled away late to earn a 6–1 victory over Salinas. Both teams battled through early defensive stands, but the Lancers ultimately wore down the Salinas defense with patience at the plate and opportunistic offense.
Saint Francis leaned on senior Ava Bulanti, who was masterful through all seven innings. Bulanti struck out nine Salinas batters and surrendered just one run on seven hits, issuing only two walks and keeping runners from stringing together any meaningful rallies.
Saint Francis's bats came alive thanks to a well-distributed team effort. Senior Hayden Hummel led the way, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Her blast was the game's only long ball and provided an emotional spark for the Lancers. Junior Jaime Oakland and freshman May Meltz also chipped in with crucial hits, each batting .500 and crossing the plate once.
The Lancers demonstrated their patience and discipline at the plate, drawing two walks and reaching base twice via hit-by-pitch. They made the most of their chances, driving in five of their six runs with just five total hits.
Salinas, by contrast, struggled to build momentum offensively. Despite a few standout individual performances, such as J. Coronado and K. Domenighini, who both batted .667 with a combined four hits, the Cowboys left six runners on base. Only Gigi Rossi recorded an extra-base hit, a double, and scored the lone Salinas run.
Saint Francis showcased a dynamic running game, swiping four bases — one each by Emi Yumiba, Peyton Tsao, Aryka Gunsagar, and May Meltz — to put pressure on the Salinas defense. Their aggressive baserunning often disrupted Salinas’ rhythm and set up scoring opportunities.
Both teams played clean defense, with neither squad committing an error. Salinas’ fielding was sharp across the board, as every defender posted a perfect fielding percentage. Still, Saint Francis outshone them with 29 total chances and turned two double plays, key moments that squashed Salinas' fleeting threats.
With the win, Saint Francis advances to the CCS Open Division Championship, their confidence bolstered by a balanced attack and solid execution. Salinas, despite a strong defensive performance and moments of promise at the plate, bows out of the tournament but not without showing resilience and fight.
For Saint Francis, the playoff journey continues. For Salinas, the season ends, but with young talent like Machuca and Domenighini returning, the future remains bright.
