Signature win for Ohlone softball

There’s big wins over local rivals and then there’s signature wins that raise eyebrows across the state.
The Renegades accomplished the latter with a scintillating 1-0, nine-inning triumph over state No. 3 and Southern California No. 2 Bakersfield on April 14.
In a sensational start, Ana Beard went all nine innings, allowing two hits and striking out three to improve to 12-4 on the season with a 0.79 ERA. In the dramatic bottom of the ninth, Meida Taulalatasi had a sneaky bunt leadoff single before Karen Didio lashed a one-out, walk-off single to score Taulalatasi.
On April 12, Ohlone (28-8, 8-2 Coast-North) walloped De Anza 20-1 in five innings in conference play. Beard fired a 1-hitter with seven strikeouts and Mallory Ussery mashed on offense with four hits, six RBIs, four runs scored, a home run and a double. Arrianna Whitlock was 3 for 3 with a home run, four RBIs, three runs scored and a double. Brooke Niewoehner had a double and three RBI.
The Renegades, who have won nine of their last 10, also swept host Solano 5-4 and 3-1 on April 10. Starter Holly Gonzales got the pitching win in the 5-4 contest and Didio worked a spotless seventh with two strikeouts. Taulalatasi and Lauryn Garcia both had two hits.
In the 3-1 win, Didio fired a four-hitter over seven innings with four strikeouts and allowing an unearned run. She also was 2 for 3 with a double, run scored and RBI. Taulalatasi was 3 for 4.

Photos by Don Jedlovec