FAIRFIELD -- Head coach Anthony Trujillo said he had a dream the night before Vanden High School's softball showdown with Vacaville that he would pinch-hit Amiya Clay late in the game and she would deliver a big hit.
"I knew she might have to walk to first base, but she would deliver the ribby," Trujillo said.
Clay had been sidelined by a pulled hamstring for most of the season, but as to not tempt fate, Trujillo sent her to the plate anyway in the bottom of the sixth inning. And right on cue, the sophomore delivered a two-run single to kick off a six-run inning. The Lady Vikings went on to an 8-3 victory at home Wednesday afternoon.
"I was like, 'Are you all serious?'" Clay said. "It felt amazing. There's nothing like coming back from an injury and helping your team win. I just tried to put bat on the ball and wherever it it goes, it goes."
The teams were tied 2-2 before the late-inning heroics. Niayli Calvo hit a two-run home run to deep right field for Vanden in the first inning. Vacaville’s Makayla Morgan matched the feat in the second with a two-run blast that got over the center field fence.
That score stood until Vanden sent 10 batters to the plate in the sixth and delivered six hits. Calvo had a two-run single in the inning. Childers also had a hit and an RBI.
“I was getting a little nervous,” said Trujillo, whose team lost to Rocklin 1-0 Monday and suddenly had its bats go silent. “Did we peak too early? But there’s something about Vacaville. It’s hard to win against them.”
MJ Barlaan finished with a hit and an RBI for Vanden. KJ Horton hit a single and a double. Daisy Pallares also doubled. Brooklyn Talbot and DJ Evans singled.
Marley Walpole had a hit and an RBI for Vacaville. Madison Blurton, Taylor Martin and Ava Flores each had singles.
Talbot finished with a complete game victory. She allowed five hits, two earned runs, two walks and had five strikeouts.
“I felt like they were starting to time up Brooklyn a little bit,” Trujillo said. “She didn’t have her ‘A’ game today but she had a good game.”
Sydney Marcelli threw 5.2 innings for Vacaville and allowed 10 hits, five earned runs, one walk and had three strikeouts. Parkyr Smith retired the final out for the Lady Bulldogs.
Vanden upped its record to 10-3 and a perfect 7-0 in the Monticello Empire League. The Lady Vikings have a 4 p.m. game Friday at home against Will C. Wood.
Vanden is currently ranked No. 8 in the Sac-Joaquin Section by MaxPreps.com. Vanden holds the league lead over Pioneer (5-2) and Vacaville (5-3).
Vacaville is 11-9 and is ranked No. 17. The Lady Bulldogs will host Sacramento on Friday in a 4 p.m. game.