Softball Recap: Northgate Finds Playoff Glory Versus Pinole Valley

Two teams were on the hunt for playoff glory, but only Northgate walked away with it. They walked away with a 7-4 win over the Pinole Valley Spartans on Tuesday. That's two games straight that the Broncos have won by exactly three runs.

Ashley Herman made a splash no matter where she played. She struck out 11 batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one triple and one run. That triple was her first of the season.

Herman wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Addison Baxter, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run. Taelyn Jriyasetapong was another, getting on base in two of her four plate appearances with two runs and one RBI.

Northgate was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. They are a perfect 9-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.

Northgate now has a winning record of 12-11. As for Pinole Valley, they moved to 18-8 with that defeat, which also ended their eight-game winning streak.

Looking ahead, Northgate will square off against Berean Christian at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The Eagles will roll in looking for their fifth straight victory, something the Broncos surely won't give up without a fight. Pinole Valley does not have any more games scheduled as of now.