Willow Glen Defeats Capuchino 5–1 Behind Balanced Team Effort
In a Central Coast Section Open Division Semifinal playoff matchup, Willow Glen rode a dominant pitching performance and timely extra-base hits to a 5–1 victory over Capuchino on Wednesday.
Willow Glen junior Alanna Clincy was masterful in the circle, tossing a complete game shutout while striking out 10 and allowing just three hits and no earned runs over seven innings. Clincy was supported by a sharp defense that turned in several key plays, including a double play.
Offensively, the Rams struck early and consistently applied pressure, collecting six hits, including three doubles and a home run. Sophomore Maia Mendoza delivered a pivotal blow with a two-run homer. Catalina Medina was a spark plug in the middle of the order, going 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Lea Crawford also contributed with an RBI double, while Alanna Clincy helped her own cause with a 1-for-3 effort that drove in two runs.
Capuchino struggled to string together offense against Clincy’s pinpoint control. The Mustangs managed just four hits and struck out 10 times. Freshman Star Gutierrez scored Capuchino’s lone run and was one of just four players to record a hit, along with seniors Avery Motroni and B. Lopiccolo, and sophomore Kiana Ngaluafe. Lopiccolo and Ngaluafe also drew walks, but Capuchino stranded five runners and couldn't capitalize.
Senior pitcher Lola Sierra went the distance for Capuchino, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits while walking three and striking out five over six innings. Despite her effort, Willow Glen’s lineup was more opportunistic, turning hits into runs with greater efficiency.
On the basepaths, both teams swiped two bases, with Capuchino’s Gutierrez and Nadia Keishk each notching a steal, and Haley Ocumen and Katelynn Dilbeck doing the same for Willow Glen.
The win sends Willow Glen to the CCS Open Division Championship, while Capuchino sees its season end with a hard-fought performance in which their young core showed promise for the future.
