A run at top three Trans-Valley League honors and a trip to the Division V Sac-Joaquin Section softball postseason seemed to good to be true for Riverbank High's softball program this year.
And it turns out it was.
On a pace earlier this season to break into the coveted top three, the Lady Bruins this past week dropped a deflating 14-0 contest to the team they were battling for third place - Hughson - in the midst of a four-game skid that effectively eliminated the Lady Bruins from postseason contention.
Even if Riverbank snares wins from their remaining four games, they will at best tie Hughson or Modesto Christian (both with two wins over the Bruins) and miss the postseason.
It's still a strong accomplishment to be in the hunt, considering the Bruins have just one senior and start an all-freshman outfield. Team ace Carlye Avey is only a sophomore, and has already set the tone for a long career of TVL dominance from the hill.
Avey struck out eight in a close 2-0 loss to Modesto Christian (8-3 TVL) on Thursday, April 29. The Crusaders were pushed into extra innings, and could not find a score until two unearned runs spelled trouble in the eighth frame. Ashley Rodgers was 2-for-4 in the loss.
The Bruins had dropped a 14-0 game to Hughson the day prior after a lone hit from Aimee Lopez.
On Friday, the team continued the slide with a 5-2 loss to Ripon, getting in a game previously postponed by rain. Avey, Rodgers and Amy McDonald each went 1-for-3 in the defeat while Avey tossed six strikeouts.
Riverbank (4-7 TVL, 7-9 overall) could still technically match Modesto Christian or Hughson at 8-7, but would lose on the tiebreaker criteria and still see the season's final game at Hughson on May 13.
And it turns out it was.
On a pace earlier this season to break into the coveted top three, the Lady Bruins this past week dropped a deflating 14-0 contest to the team they were battling for third place - Hughson - in the midst of a four-game skid that effectively eliminated the Lady Bruins from postseason contention.
Even if Riverbank snares wins from their remaining four games, they will at best tie Hughson or Modesto Christian (both with two wins over the Bruins) and miss the postseason.
It's still a strong accomplishment to be in the hunt, considering the Bruins have just one senior and start an all-freshman outfield. Team ace Carlye Avey is only a sophomore, and has already set the tone for a long career of TVL dominance from the hill.
Avey struck out eight in a close 2-0 loss to Modesto Christian (8-3 TVL) on Thursday, April 29. The Crusaders were pushed into extra innings, and could not find a score until two unearned runs spelled trouble in the eighth frame. Ashley Rodgers was 2-for-4 in the loss.
The Bruins had dropped a 14-0 game to Hughson the day prior after a lone hit from Aimee Lopez.
On Friday, the team continued the slide with a 5-2 loss to Ripon, getting in a game previously postponed by rain. Avey, Rodgers and Amy McDonald each went 1-for-3 in the defeat while Avey tossed six strikeouts.
Riverbank (4-7 TVL, 7-9 overall) could still technically match Modesto Christian or Hughson at 8-7, but would lose on the tiebreaker criteria and still see the season's final game at Hughson on May 13.
