A walk-off grand slam. A two-hit shutout.
Both feats are challenging but Esperanza’s No. 10-ranked softball team still delivered both Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Michelle Carew Classic in Anaheim.
Junior left fielder Sophia Tricoli hit a two-out, game-winning grand slam in the sixth inning to rally the host Aztecs to a 6-4 victory against Grand Terrace in the teams’ opener. The game was about to end because of the time limit.
In the second round, San Jose State-bound pitcher Chrys Hildebrand fired a two-hit shutout to lead Esperanza past Poway, 5-0.
Esperanza will make its first appearance in the quarterfinals since 2013 when it takes on top-ranked Orange Lutheran on Friday at 3:15 p.m. at Peralta Canyon Park.
“The kids love to play against each other,” Esperanza coach Ed Turnstall said of the Orange Lutheran game.
Sophia Tricoli hits walkoff grand slam in @EsperanzaAztecs 6-4 win over Grand Terrace #CarewClassic @SoCalSidelines pic.twitter.com/8kXyYD0nqR
— Suzette (@mamachooch1) April 6, 2018