Gridley, CA (MPG) – In a round-robin tournament held March 10-12, the Gridley High School junior varsity softball team took the trophy with the best overall record, winning all three games.

Competing against Live Oak (0-3), Orland (4-2, 1-1 Butte View League) and Las Plumas (1-3, 0-1), coach Caitlin Zavala said that pitchers, freshman Reese Stevens and sophomore Maddie Garcia, were key for the Bulldogs (6-2, 2-0) during the tournament.

“To have the ability to rotate pitchers each game and have a fresh arm for each game is very important,” Zavala said.

Another player of note offensively was freshman first baseman, Charlee Sormano.

“(Charlee) shines on offense,” Zavala said. “She had many hits throughout the tournament including a triple and (an) inside the park home run.”

On the defensive side, the Bulldogs are always attentive according to their coach.

“Our outfield is always on their toes,” Zavala said. “We really don’t have a weak spot anywhere on our defense.”

Gridley obliterated Live Oak 20-1 in the first game of the tournament on the morning of March 10. Later that day, Gridley played Orland, defeating the Trojans 11-7 in what was a high-scoring, back and forth affair. The Bulldogs returned two days later to crush Las Plumas, winning emphatically 10-1.

In three games, Gridley outscored their opponents 41-9 combined. This is Zavala’s first year as head coach alongside assistant coach Ally Stephens.

“It meant a lot to us for the girls to take first place in the tournament,” Zavala said. “We have a great team full of really talented players and we are lucky to get to coach them!”

The Bulldogs have played two games since the tournament concluded, both against Corning in a home-and-home series, as Gridley won both matchups. On March 15, the Bulldogs won at home against the Cardinals 16-6. Last Friday on March 18, Gridley won at Corning 11-3.

The Bulldogs have now won six games in a row after losing their first two contests to begin the season. Gridley plays next on Tuesday at 4 P.M. in a Butte View matchup against arguably their toughest opponent of the season, the undefeated Sutter Huskies (10-0, 2-0).