After barely missing out on the playoffs a year ago and returning most of their key players this season, the Wilcox Chargers were hoping for a strong season in 2019. With a 1-5 league record heading into Tuesday, the season hasn’t gone the way they hoped, but erasing a 5-0 deficit to win 11-5 over Homestead might just be enough to kickstart a strong finish.
Senior Savannah Ramon came in to pitch in the second inning and didn’t give up a single earned run in five innings of work. Ramon settled things down enough to allow the Wilcox bats to charge up and get back in the game.
Ameryss Meza came up with a clutch 2-out knock to drive in a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. After a scoreless top of the third, the Chargers would tie the game 5-5 with a three spot in the bottom of the inning. Alyssa Guerrero led off with a walk, Amanda McDowell bunted her to second, and Deena Pederson doubled in Guerrero to make it 5-3. Homestead then, rather surprisingly, intentionally walked the tying run on base in Adrianna Martinez. Pederson then stole third and scored on the overthrow to make it 5-4. Serena Cadena followed with a double to center field off the center fielder’s glove, knocking in the tying run.
The eventual winning run would come on a deep sacrifice fly from Guerrero in the top of the sixth. Insurance would come in the seventh inning with a deep home run to center field from Pederson to make it 7-5. Wilcox would tack on four more runs and Ramon would finish the game strong, with help from a nifty double play in the sixth inning. Second baseman Marina Herrera tagged the runner in front of her and threw to first to end the sixth.
Safe to say the Chargers checked off all three boxes, offense, defense and pitching in the come-from-behind win?
“We did,” confirmed Chargers Head Coach Vanessa Chagoya on checking off all the boxes. “Today, all the puzzle pieces fit together, hopefully we can continue it next week. We have three league games, gotta keep practicing and getting better.”
As far as puzzle pieces go, the offensive piece likely would have gone for naught if Ramon didn’t stop the bleeding when she did on the mound. Pederson, who hit the homer as part of a great day at the plate, gushed about her teammate’s performance on the rubber.
“She really brought it back for us — she had a level head. It was really important the way she came in and pitched the way she did,” said Pederson. “Sometimes we have trouble with our pitching and being down five already. I was so proud of her, the way she composed herself. She worked really hard out there.”
If the Chargers win all four of their remaining games, they would finish the season at 6-5, with a chance to qualify for the playoffs based on points. They must finish at or over .500 to have a chance. They still have a chance.
Next game for Wilcox is at Los Gatos on Monday, April 29.
