Nelson Warriors Softball Upsets #1 Team in Nation

Nelson Women's softball has had an up-and-down season thus far, but their ups have been some of the highest seen in the program's history. Dramatically snapping an eight-game losing streak, continued earlier in the day with a 9-3 loss in game one of the double-header, the women tapped into their inner Warrior spirit, and overcame all the nation's best team had to offer, defeating the NCCAA's #1 Ottawa Spirit 3-2 in a difficult road environment.

"This season has been tough, but the girls have never backed down from the challenge of playing any opponent," gushed manager Jimmy Gutierrez following the game. "We know that we can beat anyone, and defeating the number one team in the country reinforces that in our minds. We are going to remember this one but always focus on the next opponent. I can't wait to see the girls on the diamond again."

With two outs in the fifth inning, Estavannie Rojas began what arguably became the most important rally in program-history. Trailing 2-1, E. singled the left field, then immediately created chaos on the bases as she desperately sought to find her way home. With Maritza Rodriguez at the plate, Rojas reached second on a wild pitch, then, always one on the move, she quickly stole third but on a throwing error managed to scamper around home to score, tying the game. Not content with just the tie, the Warriors refused to allow the rally to end there. Rodriguez eventually coaxed a walk before Catalina Sanchez singled, putting runners on the corners. Taniyah LaDrigue then singled scoring Rodriguez, breaking the tie, and giving starting pitcher Kelly Katalbas all the offensive support she would need to bring home the win.

Pitching a masterful complete game, Katalbas allowed a lead-off single in the bottom of the inning before putting away the next three, then got out of trouble in both the six and seventh innings, to lock in the victory, her third in her last five starts. Despite allowing 8 hits and a walk, she and the dynamic defense behind her managed the sometimes difficult situations with relative ease, including centerfielder Bryanei Celaya and rightfielder Shyanne Duke making spectacular catches in the bottom of the seventh to end the gam.

The Warriors struck first in the top of the first, when Rojas drove in Briyanei Celaya who reached on a walk, with a single up the middle. Nelson held the lead until the fourth when the Spirit put together a rally with a double, triple, and single, in back-to-back-to-back at-bats.