Gridley sophomore infielder Delanie Cloyd (6) hits a walk-off home run on April 23 in the Bulldogs’ 12-10 win over Gridley. Photo by Steven Bryla

GRIDLEY, CA (YSBC) - The Gridley Bulldogs softball team walked off another instant classic between the rivalry with the Live Oak Lions in a 12-10 victory on April 23.

The rivalry between the two programs over the past couple years of seasons have had a couple of games decided by one-run.

Gridley junior pitcher Kaydenze Pruitt was locked in early as she moved through the top of the Live Oak hitting lineup as she retired the first-six hitters she saw in the circle.

Pruitt only gave up three hits throughout the game as the Bulldogs committed six errors in the victory.

Live Oak junior Oliviah Duran (1) connects with the ball on April 23 during the Lions’ 12-10’defeat to Gridley. Photo by Steven Bryla

Pruitt was also one of six Gridley hitters that had a multi-hit game in the victory over the Lions. She had two singles that were bullets off of the bar towards the middle of the infield.

The Live Oak hitting lineup displayed a new definition of patience at the plate as they drew six walks in the third as they took a 6-3 lead.

The Bulldogs quickly responded in the bottom half of the third as they tied the game from senior infielder Avery Mendenhall with a two-run double.

Lions junior pitcher Sarah Jupina tossed the first-four innings in the defeat as she experienced shoulder discomfort during the fourth inning.

The Gridley Bulldogs softball team mob sophomore Delanie Cloyd after she delivered a two-run home run for a 12-10 victory over Live Oak on April 23. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley took the lead in the fourth after senior outfielder Alexis Alcantar smoked a two-run double to right for an 8-6 lead.

The Bulldogs had a 10-7 lead after the fifth, but Live Oak battled back and tied the game at 10 in the top of the sixth as junior outfielder Olivia Duran hit a sacrifice fly to center.

Pruitt and Lions sophomore pitcher Melina Jurado locked down both of their opponents in crucial situations in the final inning.

The game went into extra innings, and Pruitt quickly retired the Live Oak lineup.

Pruitt led the bottom half of the eighth on base safely as she was hit by a pitch and Gridley sophomore infielder Delanie Cloyd blasted a soaring shot to center that ended the game with a walk-off home run.

Live Oak sophomore pitcher Melina Jurado (22) tosses a pitch on April 23 during the Lions’ 12-10 loss to Gridley. Photo by Steven Bryla

Cloyd had five total runs-batted-in (RBIs) in the win and extended her team lead in multiple hitting categories as she extended her team-leading RBI total to 26.

Gridley head coach Tammy Carr called the victory a win that the Bulldogs needed as each team in the Westside League is beating up on one another.

The Bulldogs followed up the win over the Lions with a 10-2 defeat to Corning. Gridley ended last week in a three-way tie for second place in league play with a 2-2 league record.

Live Oak head coach Kevin Medeiros expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that he is happy with their approach at the plate and the way they continuously fight during a game.

Gridley junior pitcher Kaydenze Pruitt (00) tosses a pitch on April 23 during the Bulldogs’ victory over Live Oak. Photo by Steven Bryla

He added that if they were able to clean up a few defensive plays against Gridley, he believed the outcome of the game would have been different.

The Lions followed the defeat to the Bulldogs with a 9-0 win over Orland, but kept them at .500 in league play.

Live Oak was scheduled to play Corning and Las Plumas earlier in the week before they are supposed to host Orland on Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to host Las Plumas on May 1 with first pitch at 4 p.m.

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