Rocklin keeps softball playoff hopes alive with win over Del Oro

The first pitch in last Monday's Sierra Foothill League softball game between Rocklin High and Del Oro High was the most important. Last Monday's action was the continuation of a game that began May 2 but was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the third inning with the bases loaded, one out and a full count. Rocklin led 2-0 at the time. One pitch would determine if the Golden Eagles would fall into a 3-0 hole or get out of the inning. "We talked about just swinging away when we get up there," Rocklin coach Mallory Asaro said. "You get one pitch, you got one thing to swing, so we wanted to go up there and just swing hard. That was the mindset going up there is just, you know, go all out, leave everything on the field." Del Oro's Daniella Morillas made the most of her one pitch, striking out Rocklin's Chloe Kimbrell for the second out. "I liked the fact that my pitcher threw the pitch she needed to throw in that tough situation as the game has restarted," Del Oro coach Sean Erickson said. "At that point, we're in the game, we still have a chance and she's done her job." The Golden Eagles didn't get out of the inning unscathed, however, as Morillas walked Kristin Huynh on a full count to make it 3-0, the final score as Rocklin kept its playoff hopes alive. The Thunder moved into the Sierra Foothill League's fifth and final playoff spot with one game remaining. Asaro offered praise for her team's ability to close out the suspended game, noting it can be nerve-wracking to pick up a game a week later, as momentum can shift. "I love the team that showed up today. We love the team that we saw last Tuesday," Asaro said. "We know for the rain to come in when we have momentum, which we have had a hard time sustaining this year, it can really throw things off. For them to come back and show this resilience and stay on, it was super impressive." Erickson was not discouraged by his team's effort, as he said they played well enough to win but it was the hole dug last week that lost the Eagles the game. "The thing we always preach is to give us a chance. If you give us a chance, we're in the game. If you don't give us a chance, then we don't have a game to play," Erickson said. "We had some big walks by taking pitches and being patient, giving us runners at first and second. We were one swing away from tying it, but instead, we hit two pop-ups and we missed it by that much. I'm proud of my kids for battling." Rocklin wraps up its regular season Tuesday at Whitney, as the Thunder looks to lock up a playoff spot. A Rocklin win would force Folsom to have to win two of its final three to make the postseason, while a Thunder loss would mean Folsom needs one win to clinch a playoff spot. "When you put two rivals against each other at the end of the season in a game that can determine a playoff spot, anything can happen," Asaro said. "Whitney's a phenomenal team. They really have an incredible roster this year, so the girls need to come out at 110 miles an hour in that one." Del Oro has its playoff spot locked up and finishes the regular season at home against Granite Bay before visiting Folsom on Wednesday.