The Gridley High School girls’ softball team won the D3 Section Championship on May 24, an achievement not reached in more than 30 years. Photo courtesy of the Gridley High School Athletic Department

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley girls’ softball did something on Saturday, May 24 that had not been done in more than 30 years. After making the playoffs for the fourth straight year, but losing in the first round, this year the Bulldogs finished on top and won the D3 Section Championship.

The Bulldogs, who finished the year with a 19-5 record, were the No. 2 seed in the division going into the playoffs.  In the first round, they hosted the Orland Trojans on May 20 and won with a score of 8-4. Regionals were then played in Lassen with the Bulldogs advancing to the championship by beating Lassen 18-5 with every single player in the lineup tallying at least one hit. 

On May 24, the Bulldogs again had to face Lassen who came back up through the loser's bracket to the championship game.  Going into the fifth inning the Bulldogs were down 7-0 but stayed resilient and calm.  In the fifth inning led by hits from Burresch, Cloyd, and Pruitt, the Bulldogs scored three runs.  In the sixth inning, Poyner started the rally followed by hits from Campos, Burresch, Cloyd, Pruitt, Rivero, Mendenhall, and Alcantar and scored six runs to go ahead 9-7.

The Bulldogs were able to hold off the Grizzlies in the sixth where they had bases loaded and no outs, and in the seventh where they had two on with no outs.  

Kay Pruitt got the win on the mound, allowing only three earned runs and striking out the third out of the inning, the Grizzlies best hitter, to win the game and seal the championship.

It was a true team effort. These girls have worked hard all year and stayed together as a team.  We also have a great coaching staff that work together as well. We are very proud of the girls and what they have accomplished. 

The Bulldogs are coached by Tammy Carr, Amber Mendenhall, Tera Tuttle and Cody Cloyd.