SALINAS — The “thank you” card is in the mail.
The Watsonville High Wildcatz followed through on a gift from Christopher High on Thursday evening by beating Salinas High, 5-0, at the Salinas Sports Complex to earn a share of the Monterey Bay League Gabilan division title.
Watsonville (22-3, 9-3) finished its league season tied for first with San Benito High (14-12, 9-3), which had a full-game lead on the Wildcatz entering the week but was stunned, 3-2, by Christopher on Tuesday.
Watsonville head coach Scott Wilson said he was caught off guard by the Cougars’ upset win over the Haybalers, who beat Notre Dame-Salinas on Thursday night to secure a share of its fourth straight league crown.
“The rest was really up to us to get the job done — do our part,” Wilson said. “I told the girls that we can’t worry about what else is going on. We have to worry about what we’re doing.”
The Wildcatz cashed in on the opportunity, and were excited by the subsequent doors that flew open with the title in their back pocket.
“It opens another opportunity for us to go up in playoffs,” said junior pitcher Jessica Rodriguez. “I’m really excited to see what our team can do.”
The co-championship all but assures Watsonville a spot in next week’s Central Coast Section Open Division. The Wildcatz are fresh off winning the CCS Division I crown last season — the program’s first-ever section title — and are rolling into the postseason on a five-game win streak, which includes a 12-1 statement win over San Benito last week.
Watsonville will find out its fate at Saturday’s CCS seeding meeting.
“We have to keep playing like its just another game in the Open,” said Watsonville junior catcher Juliana Wilson. “It’s kind of scary, but I just think about it like playing another San Benito or another St. Francis.”
Watsonville scored three runs in the opening inning and Rodriguez worked through an off day in the circle to post her eighth shutout of the season. She allowed only four hits and walked none.
Her defense, highlighted by speedy freshman outfielder Anastacia Alba, bailed her out plenty.
Wilson was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two scored runs. Senior shortstop Savanah Quintana, freshman outfielder Maya Guerrero and Alba also scored runs, while sophomore outfielder Angelina Heredia had two RBIs.
Editor’s Note: This article will publish in the May 18 edition of the Pajaronian newspaper.
