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Last updated
11-12-08 01:46 PM
 
Delta League
Joe Henderson
916-947-7331
8333 Kingsbridge Drive
Sacramento, California
95829
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Monday, April 14
An Eteamz Spot light Winner.
The Home of Husky Softball
Sheldon is featured by Del Rogers on KCRA's Channel 3 Playbook
Sheldon HS
Sheldon High School is located in southern Sacramento county just north of Elk Grove, California.
 Welcome to the Sheldon Husky Softball web site. The goal of Sheldon softball is to provide young student-athletes, through competitive softball, the opportunity to develop the personal attributes of commitment, dedication and integrity, and life long skills of leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork that are needed to be successful adults.
Eleven years ago we opened our doors and competed at the varsity level with only freshmen and sophomores. Our motto was “Courage” because we felt it took courage to compete as a varsity program in the Delta League, which was known as one of the most competitive high school softball leagues in Northern California. Our first ten years have been full of successes at both the jv and the varsity levels, balanced with our share of losses. As Coach Truesdale always says, “There is always something to be learned from a loss, let’s just not have too many of them.”
Ours has been a program of “firsts.” We first made Sheldon history by making the playoffs in only our second year and have done so every year since then. In ten years, we have won 5 Delta League Championships. We were the first Sheldon team to win a Section Championship in 2002, followed by Women’s Basketball in 2006 and, most recently, Men’s Basketball in 2007. Two years ago was the final year of the Delta League and we were the last softball team to win the championship before the leagues split into two new leagues. Last year was the first year of the Delta River League. Our Varsity Football team won the first football league championship in the Delta River League and we won the first softball league championship. We went on to the Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs, winning our second Section Title. We were also ranked 6th in the nation by the USA Today/NFCA and 2nd among California D-1 schools by Cal-Hi Sports.
The Husky softball program is now deep in tradition and success. Our players find that being a part of this program is demanding. It requires a high level of commitment on and off of the field of play. The Husky softball coaches view our program as an extension of the high school experience. It is a privilege that is earned with a positive, team-oriented attitude, a commitment to our program goals and the desire to achieve “the best.”
We emphasize the importance of family support, performance in the classroom and commitment to the team. We expect our athletes to succeed in the classroom as well as on the field and to uphold the traditions and values of Sheldon High School both now and in the future.
We are excited about the 2008 season. As we enter into competition, we are filled with anticipation and renewed focus. We’ll work hard. We will practice with purpose. We’ll have fun. We will play with passion. We’ll represent our school with determination and respect. We live the motto “Husky Pride”. IT IS A GREAT DAY TO BE A HUSKY.
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Friday, July 11
Sheldon softball duo invited to All-American game
John Hull Citizen Sports Writer
Published: Thursday, July 10, 2008 5:50 PM PDT
Remember the old TV commercials, set to the popular Disney tune, “When You Wish Upon A Star,” in which action shots of the Super Bowl most valuable player was shown and at the end the announcer would ask, “Joe Montana, you’re the MVP of the Super Bowl! What are you going to do now?”
Joe (or Jerry Rice or whomever) would reply while running off the field, “I’m going to Disney World!”
Let’s now localize this and update the commercial for 2008:
“Lindsey Ziegenhirt and Jolene Henderson, you have led the Sheldon Huskies to back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section Division I softball titles. What are you going to do now?”
Lindsey and Jolene: “We’re going to Disney World! And play in the Under Armor High School All-American Softball Game!”
Commercial ends.
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| Lindsey Ziegenhirt |
Jolene Henderson |
“I’m so excited,” Ziegenhirt told the Citizen Tuesday. “I’ve been to Disney World on a family vacation before I entered high school and really liked it. I was so jealous because (Jolene) found out first that she got to play in Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex which is, like, the best facility you can play in. Then I got my letter and I thought, ‘this is amazing that I get to go with my best friend and my almost sister to play at this (all-star game).”
She added that being on a nationally ranked high school team this spring really helped in hers and Henderson’s selection. “Just to be part of this is really cool,” she added.
The pitcher-catcher combo was selected last week to play in the game, which will be shown on ESPNU on July 20 at 10 a.m.
The top 30 high school seniors-to-be were selected for the game.
The pair has been busy since defeating Elk Grove in a pair of 1-0 games May 22 to win the section title. Both have been playing on the Lady Magic’s 16-and-under elite team, coached by Henderson’s father, Joe, Ziegenhirt’s mother, Laura, and Jim Carda, whose daughter, Ally, is the top pitcher for Pleasant Grove High School.
Also on the squad are Jolene’s younger sister, Danielle, who will be a sophomore at Sheldon next year, and Shelby Wisdom, who started last year for Elk Grove.
Ziegenhirt says she’s been working on her conditioning and her hitting this summer.
“My batting average went up 100 points this high school season,” she said. “But, I am just trying to get better. My catching just comes naturally for me. I’m working on getting faster because catchers aren’t exactly the fastest runners on a team.”
The summer club has had great success in the Amatuer Softball Association’s (ASA) series of invitational tournaments the past six weeks. In early June, the Lady Magic won a tournament in Las Vegas, defeating the elite teams from southern California and throughout the West.
Then, in a 32-team national invitational tournament last week in Longmont, CO., the Lady Magic walked through all games unscathed to win that trophy.
“Now, we’re in line for the ASA 16-and-under national title,” the elder Henderson said. That tournament will take place at the end of this month in Kentucky.
Plus, with Carda on the team, Henderson hasn’t had to carry the pitching load for the Lady Magic.
“When we went to Colorado, there was lots of college scouts and Ally and Shelby pitched the pool play games to showcase them,” she said.
Henderson then stepped in the semifinal and final games to help grab the tournament title.
Henderson continued to show she’s got a quality bat, too.
“I hit .464 for the tournament,” she added. “I even hit a home run, so my hitting is getting better.”
Henderson was also a .400-plus hitter for Sheldon this season. During the Colorado tournament, she and Danielle hit back-to-back homers in the same game.
“But, hers went farther, “ Jolene added.
So, by the time Ziegenhirt and Henderson are finished picking up more gold medals and awards from their 2008 softball season, it will be ready for their senior years at Sheldon. No worries about college recruiters, both have verbally committed to Cal-Berkeley and both said they are standing by that decision.
“What other college softball program would I want to go?” Ziegenhirt asked rhetorically. “They always have a top-25 softball program every year. They have everything I need and offered me everything.”
In 2009, the pair wants one more thrill: a section softball three-peat.
From the way they are playing this summer, few teams will be able to stand in their way.
Monday, June 2
California State Teams of the Year for 2008
California State Teams of Year - 2008
Mark Tennis - CalHiSports Editor 6/2/08
For one of the two State Teams of the Year announced today it's the first time ever a team from their city in their sport has achieved such recognition. For the other, it's simply upholding a recent trend.
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| Jolene Henderson (left) and Morgan Otto were both key players for 2008 State Team of the Year Sheldon of Sacramento. |
The two honored squads are from Sheldon High of Sacramento for softball and Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks for baseball.
Entering the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I playoffs, Sheldon was No. 1 in the state by CalHiSports.com and No. 1 in the nation according to the Rivals.com FAB 50. The Huskies then lost in their third game of those playoffs to district rival Elk Grove, but they were in a double-elimination format and were able to come back and win the title.
With Jolene Henderson pitching a no-hitter and a three-hitter, Sheldon blanked Elk Grove twice, 1-0 and 1-0, in its championship round and finished the season 32-2. The only other loss came to Pembroke Pines of Florida in the championship game of the Nike Faster to First tourney, which was an event that attracted most of the top teams in Southern California. Sheldon was the highest-finishilng California team.
The first loss to Elk Grove did have rankings ramifications as it dropped Sheldon behind unbeaten Simi Valley and 26-3 Santiago of Corona and left them in what would have been a tough call against 29-3 Kennedy of La Palma. The Huskies also would have been behind unbeaten Escondido of the San Diego Section, but the Cougars were upset by Helix of La Mesa on the same day in which Sheldon lost to Elk Grove.
In last week's CIF Southern Section semifinals and finals, none of the three teams that would have or could have finished ranked higher than Sheldon were able to win a championship. Both Santiago and Simi Valley were defeated by Valencia while Kennedy fell in its semifinal game to El Modena of Orange.
In repeating as the champion in the highest classification in the Southern Section, Valencia will jump up to No. 2 in the final state rankings but with five losses for the season that is too many for the Vikings to go in front of Sheldon. Could Valencia be the best team in the state right now? Yes. But for a State Team of the Year honor, which also considers the entire season and not just the playoffs, Sheldon should be No. 1 and Valencia No. 2 with Simi Valley slipping down to No. 3.
Sheldon becomes just the third school from the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section to be chosen State Team of the Year in softball. But neither of the other two – Lincoln of Stockton or Armijo of Fairfield – are from Sacramento. Lincoln, in fact, has been State Team of the Year in softball four times, which is more than any other school.
Sheldon should make a run at a second straight No. 1 state ranking next year as well. In addition to Henderson, who is one of the top juniors in the nation, the Huskies also will be returning standout catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt, who along with Henderson has committed to Cal.
For the final State Team of the Year selection in baseball, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks becomes the third No. 1 team in the last five years from the San Fernando Valley. The Knights are following a long line of top teams that includes El Camino Real of Woodland Hills in 2005, Chatsworth in 2004 and Kennedy of Granada Hills in 1996.
Congratulations as well to head coach Mary Jo Truesdale, her assistant coaches, support staff and the rest of the 2008 State Team of the Year Sheldon Huskies: Dejanee Moore, Danielle Henderson, Ali Valdez, Aleisha Brown, Chrissy Hansen, Alexa Rivera, Jolene Henderson, Kristen Gray, Angelica Mendoza, Morgan Otto, Lindsey Ziegenhirt and Cheyenne Cathey.
All-Time State Softball
Teams of the Year
2008 – Sacramento Sheldon (32-2)
2007 – Valencia (32-1)
2006 – Oakley Freedom (25-0)
2005 – Simi Valley Royal (29-2)
2004 – Garden Grove Pacifica (31-2)
2003 – Garden Grove Pacifica (31-2)
2002 – San Diego Mira Mesa (31-1)
2001 – Fresno Bullard (36-1)
2000 – Tustin Foothill (33-2)
1999 – Fresno Bullard (38-1-1)
1998 – Clovis Buchanan (35-2)
1997 – Garden Grove Pacifica (31-1-1)
1996 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (30-1)
1995 – Huntington Beach Marina (24-5)
1994 – Clovis (31-3) (plus 2 wins by default)
1993 – Covina Charter Oak (29-0-1)
1992 – Stockton Lincoln (35-3)
1991 – Stockton Lincoln (29-3) |
1990 – Roseville (37-2)
1989 – Lakewood St. Joseph (26-1)
1988 – Santa Fe Springs St. Paul (21-6)
1987 – Stockton Lincoln (30-0)
1986 – Woodland Hills El Camino Real (19-0)
1985 – Huntington Beach Ocean View (32-0)
1984 – Stockton Lincoln (37-1)
1983 – Lodi (27-2)
1982 – San Diego Madison (20-0)
1981 – Santa Maria Righetti (25-1)
1980 – Santa Maria Righetti (29-0)
1979 – Santa Rosa Montgomery (26-1)
1978 – Fairfield Armijo (23-0)
1977 – Huntington Beach Marina (17-0)
1976 – Chula Vista Hilltop (17-0)
1975 – Downey Warren (18-1)
1974 – El Segundo (undefeated) |
Tuesday, June 3
Husky Awards for 2008
Congratulations to the following players for earning awards for 2008
Sac Bee All-Metro
Player of the Year - Jolene Henderson
First Team - Alexa Rivera
First Team - Lindsey Ziegenhirt
Second Team - Morgan Otto
Second Team - Danielle Henderson
Delta River League
Optimist - Alexa Rivera and Morgan Otto
Coach of the Year for Delta River - Mary Jo Truesdale
Player of the Year for Delta River - Jolene Henderson
1st Team Delta River - Alexa Rivera, Morgan Otto, Lindsey Ziegenhirt, Jolene Henderson, Danielle Henderson, & DeJanee Moore
2nd Team Delta River - Ali Valdez, Kristen Gray, Cheyenne Cathey, & Aleisha Brown.
Sheldon Husky Awards
MVP Offense - Alexa Rivera
Outstanding Offensive Player - Lindsey Ziegenhirt
MVP Defense - Jolene Henderson
Outstanding Defensive Player - Morgan Otto
Rookie Award - Dejanee Moore & Danielle Henderson
Husky Award - Ali Valdez
Most Improved Player - Aleisha Brown
Sportsmanship Award - Angelica Mendoza
Congratulations Mary Jo Truesdale for winning her 500 Game!!!
Tuesday, June 3
SacBee Player of the Year
All-Metro softball Player of the Year: Jolene Henderson, Sheldon
Junior pitcher showed she could bounce back
The 4-3 loss to Elk Grove High School did not sit well with Jolene Henderson, Sheldon's junior pitching ace, who took the section playoff setback personally.
Henderson barely got any sleep after the May 20 game, and she apologized to her teammates the next day for giving up seven hits in the loss that dropped the Huskies from No. 1 to No. 3 in USA Today's national softball rankings and spoiled their chance at winning a mythical national championship.
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| Sheldon pitcher Jolene Henderson finished her season in dominating fashion. Scott Lorenzo / slorenzo@sacbee.com |
Then Henderson unleashed her frustration on her next playoff opponents.
She did not allow a run in her final five games of the double-elimination tournament and pitched two 1-0 shutouts over Elk Grove on May 22 to win the Sac- Joaquin Division I Section championship.
People knew Henderson could dominate, but this season, she proved she could bounce back.
"I was angry about the loss," Henderson said. "I didn't get the job done the first time. But I came through the second time."
For her season-long excellence, Henderson has been named The Bee's 2008 Softball Player of the Year, her second such honor in as many seasons.
Last year, she hit a three-run, gamewinning homer to give Sheldon the 2007 section championship. This season, her will to win is receiving credit.
"She is just a great competitor," Huskies coach Mary Jo Truesdale said. "Jolene is the type of player that, when she steps on the mound, she has the ability to block everything out and focus.
"When it counted the most, she knew what we needed, and she went out and got the job done."
Elk Grove pitcher Allie Crump agreed. "I really think Jolene's effort the second time was all mental," Crump said. "I don't think she blew us away with different stuff. She was just hungrier to win."
Henderson won 30 games this season, 22 by shutout. She struck out 326 batters, including 10 or more 17 times, and compiled a 0.41 ERA.
She batted .400 with five home runs and 31 RBIs. Henderson has become the latest player identified with Sheldon's excellence.
"When you think of Sheldon, you automatically think of their ability to win and the great players they have," Rocklin pitcher Paige Emerson said. "And Jolene is one of those players you think about."
Henderson's presence is a key reason. The 5-foot-7 power pitcher's mechanics are polished, her delivery effortless. Effective as a rule, Henderson showed she is even more dangerous to opponents when she has something to prove.
If a reference is needed, consult Elk Grove.
Alexa and Lindsey earns 1st Team All-Metro for Sac Bee.
Thursday, May 29
Back-to-Back Section Titles for Huskies
Back-to-Back Softball Section Titles
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| Photo by Bryan Higashino - The Sheldon High School varsity softball team celebrates a second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title and the program’s third in school history by giving a water bath to head coach Mary Jo Truesdale. |
Sheldon beats Elk Grove twice in same night for program’s D-I title
By Marcos Rodriguez - Citizen Sports Writer 5/29/08
Losing is an inevitable part of any team’s season. Only one team ends the season with a win.
But, for the Sheldon High School varsity softball team, losing was a rare occurrence this year, as they dominated not only the Delta River League but also the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs as well.
Although, the Lady Huskies did have to work its way through the losers’ bracket and beat one of the top programs in Northern California twice in the same night for consecutive Division I section titles.
After losing earlier in the postseason to Elk Grove High School, Sheldon’s proven pitcher Jolene Henderson led her team to consecutive 1-0 wins and the first back-to-back titles since Fairfield accomplished the feat back in 2000 and 2001.
“I thought the girls really hung in there,” said Mary Jo Truesdale, who, with the section championship victory, notched her 500th career win. “When the opportunity arose, we were able to score and we made the best of the situations when we needed to. One run is all we needed and, in games like this, it usually is just a one-run game. ”
Especially when Sheldon’s starting pitcher had something to prove by producing eight strikeouts in the final game against the Thundering Herd last Thursday. Henderson was on a mission after her sub-par performance in the first playoff meeting with Elk Grove in the quarterfinals, as she allowed a season-high seven hits and four runs.
She regained her usual stingy form with successive shutouts against Elk Grove and also five shutouts in a row to conclude the section playoffs.
The frightening part about her accomplishments is that opposing teams still have to worry about her for another season since Henderson is still just a junior.
“I think it is perseverance and heart,” Henderson said. “(The team) brought it through when we needed to bring it through. This is what we wanted to do the whole year.”
The lone run in the final game came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cheyenne Cathey earned a single off a fielding error to stir some momentum up for her team. The next batter, Kristen Gray, sacrificed a bunt to advance Cathey and give her teammate a better opportunity to score.
Sheldon’s Morgan Otto attempted another sacrifice bunt to advance Cathey to third base. Alex Rivera then capped off the sacrifices with an RBI single to score the only run of the game off Elk Grove senior starter Allie Crump.
Crump surrendered just an RBI single to Henderson in the first game earlier that night.
“This game talks to the character of the young ladies. It talks to the quality of the ball players,” Truesdale said. “We went and played the toughest teams in the state and by doing that it helped us go through the bottom of the bracket and come out on top.”
Elk Grove, although disappointed with the outcome, showed itts grit and unwillingness to give up when they got down late in the game.
“(Elk Grove) played better in this game than they did in the second game, which is testament to their character,” said head coach Jeff Alexander. “They could have packed it in, but they didn’t. They stepped it up and give credit to Sheldon, when they needed to make plays they did.”
Not to be outdone by her opponent, Crump had a solid pitching game effort in her third start against Sheldon in the postseason. She finished with four strikeouts in the decisive game.
Elk Grove threatened many times to score and possibly tie the game, but it was Henderson’s pitching that slammed the door on the Lady Herd’s title aspirations.
The final hope for Elk Grove to extend the game into extra innings came in its final at-bat.
Right fielder Sam Sinclair tried to create one last opportunity for her team on a single to the right side. Second baseman Kayla Wright immediately grounded into a fielder’s choice to erase Sinclair off the base paths.
Whatever energy the Lady Herd had left in the tank, Sheldon negated the final rally by dominating the game in the same way they began it.
Alexander reflected on his team’s exceptional record during the regular season, including their admirable playoff run as the runner-up for the Division I section title and a second-place finish in the Delta Valley Conference.
Elk Grove only lost twice to Franklin and Sheldon all season.
“No complaints. Would we have liked to finish first, absolutely, but we expect to be back here,” said Alexander.
Sheldon is living proof that determination and strong work ethic can take a team deep into the playoffs, even through the losers’ bracket of the double-elimination format.
“It just goes to show that if you work hard enough and really believe that you’ve worked harder than everyone else that dreams can come true,” Truesdale said
The team now begins preparations for next season and, with their core nucleus of players returning, they will still be an intimidating squad for all their opponents and a legitimate contender to three-peat in 2009.
“We’re going to do a lot of the same things next year and work a little harder. We’ll probably be a little younger next year, but sometimes youth is good,” said Truesdale.
So far youth has given her and the program back-to-back section titles.
Wednesday, May 28
State Rankings for Northern California by Division
Division I
1. (2) Simi Valley 29-0
2. (3) Santiago (Corona) 26-3
Monday, May 26
State Softball Rankings
1. (3) Simi Valley 28-0
Coach Russ Michael's team actually was playing on ...
Saturday, May 24
Henderson Shutouts Earn Huskies Second Straight DI Championship
Henderson Shutouts Earn Huskies Second Straight DI Championship
5/24/2008 11:19:44 PM - www.sacramentosportspage.com
Coming from the Division I loser’s bracket by virtue of their of 4-3 loss to the Elk Grove Thundering Herd on Wednesday, the Sheldon Huskies entered Thursday’s championship round needed to beat Elk Grove twice to repeat as Sac-Joaquin Section Champions.
Behind the dominant pitching of junior Jolene Henderson, the Huskies posted a pair of 1-0 victories over the Thundering Herd to capture their second straight DI title.
The atmosphere at Field 3 of the Sacramento Softball Complex had all the markings of a big game with the bleachers packed with vocal supporters on both sides, and television camera crews on hand to capture the event.
Henderson tossed a no-hitter in the first game, and then delivered big in the second and decisive game allowing only five hits and two walks and striking out 10, to come away with the victory over Elk Grove and her seventh shutout in eight attempts this postseason.
Despite coming out on the losing end of both games, Elk Grove senior Allie Crump was nearly as dominant as Henderson After giving up just one run to Sheldon in Game 1, Crump gave up just one run again and allowed only four Sheldon hits in Game 2.
Sheldon didn’t score until the fifth when Cheyenne Cathey led off with a bunt that was mishandled by Crump putting Cathey on with no outs. Cathey advanced to second and third on sacrifice bunts by Kristen Gray and Morgan Otto, when Sheldon second baseman Alexa Rivera followed Otto with a hit to leftfield that was nearly caught by Elk Grove leftfielder Charlie Cisneros made a diving attempt for the ball. However, the ball came out of Cisneros’ glove when she hit the ground which allowed Cathey to score what would be the game winning run.
The missed catch in leftfield would almost serve as a metaphor for Elk Grove which came close again to defeating Sheldon in the big game, but couldn’t seal the deal to defeat defending champ.
Rivera finished with a team high two hits (2 for 3), including the game winning RBI. Henderson and Dejanee Moore each added a base hit for the Huskies.
Elk Grove sophomore third baseman Alex Basquez led the way for Thundering Herd with two hits, including a double to right in the sixth that put runners at second and third before Henderson put an end to the threat. Crump, Cisneros, and Sam Sinclair chipped in with a base hit each.
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Henderson (right) no-hit Elk Grove in Game 1,
then followed with 5-hit shutout win in Game 2
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Alexa Rivera had the game winning RBI
for Sheldon
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Friday, May 23
Sheldon wins title with two game sweep.
Sheldon wins title with two game sweep.
While the 1-0 score was the same in both of Sheldon High's softball wins on Thursday in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship series, the two games against Elk Grove couldn't have been more different.
Following a dominant no-hitter by standout junior Jolene Henderson in the first game, the Huskies had to beat Elk Grove a second time to win the title due to a 4-3 loss to the same team on Tuesday. They did, but it was one of those classic softball games that could easily have gone the other way with a deflection here or just an inch there and it would have been the Thundering Herd celebrating at the Sacramento Softball Complex instead of Sheldon.
font size="2">The only run in the second game was scored in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs and Cheyenne Cathey at third base after she reached on an error and was bunted over twice, senior Alexa Rivera scorched a sinking liner into left field. Elk Grove's Charlie Cisneros made a dive for it, had the ball in her glove for a split-second, but the ball rolled out when she tumbled on ground. Rivera was credited with a double.
Elk Grove nearly answered in the top of the sixth. With one out, senior Allie Crump, the starting pitcher, singled to right and then with two outs sophomore Alex Basquez came up with the strongest swing all night against Henderson, launching a booming double to right-center. It was one of those hits, though, in which it got into the gap so quickly that Crump had to stop at third base.
The next batter, Janelle Wisdom, then had a chance to drive in two runs and would have given Elk Grove a 2-1 lead. She hit a hard hopper heading up the middle, too. Henderson appeared to get a glove on it, but later said she thought she didn't. Rivera was still charging in and snagged the grounder, then completed a strong throw to first that nipped Wisdom for the final out of the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Elk Grove got a leadoff single from catcher Sam Sinclair, but Henderson struck out the final two batters to end it.
"What can you say, but it was two 1-0, 1-0 games," said Elk Grove head coach Jeff Alexander. "We were much better in the second game than the first game, but there were all sorts of plays that could have made it different.
"That was a game-winning hit right there," he said of Wisdom's grounder in the sixth. "And that ball that scored the only run was in her glove. The ball just bounces funny sometimes."
This week's Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I playoffs took on added significance since Sheldon began it as the No. 1 team in the CalHiSports.com state rankings and as the No. 1 team in the Rivals.com FAB 50 after previous No. 1 Pembroke Pines of Florida lost on May 12 in the Class 4A state championship in the Sunshine State.
After dropping into the loser's bracket and then coming back to beat Elk Grove twice, Sheldon finished with a 30-2 record. And while the No. 1 national ranking is all but finished, the Huskies are certainly still in the running to be No. 1 in California and State Team of the Year.
"It's such an honor to get those rankings," said Sheldon coach Mary Jo Truesdale. "We felt so blessed it was like a once in a lifetime experience.
"We just didn't play our game when we lost early in the week. I don't know if it was the pressure. We felt bad, but we knew it was not the end of the world. We just played our game today."
After the game, Truesdale was informed by an assistant coach that the victory was the 500th of her career.
"This is really special," she said. "It looked like the 500th was going to come in the first game of next year so I was thinking about who we might play and having it at home. Coming out of the loser's bracket and getting it tonight maybe is what was meant to be."
Henderson wasn't aware of the 500th win, but after the game chided Sacramento Bee writer Quwan Spears about an article earlier in the week.
"It made me mad to read about Tuesday's game," Henderson said. "I was angry at that loss because I felt it was my fault and I didn't get it done."
She certainly got it done on Thursday. The University of California commit struck out the first three batters of the first game and ended her no-hitter by striking out Janelle Wisdom with a runner at third, which was the result of her only walk of the game. Henderson also drove in the only run of that game with a roller into centerfield in the fourth inning that plated Lindsey Ziegenhirt, who hit a one-out double.
In the second game, Henderson nearly homered but Megan Suitos, the Elk Grove centerfielder, appeared to bring the ball back before crashing into the fence, making Henderson settle for a double. She also had a single and stolen base in the fourth inning.
Both Henderson and Truesdale were happy to hear about their team's chances to still be No. 1 in the state. For that to happen, currently unbeaten Simi Valley would have to lose in the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs. Another CIFSS Division I team, Santiago of Corona, also would finish ahead of Sheldon if it were to win that title.
If another team other than those two wins in that division, then Sheldon could still indeed get the nod, although Kennedy of La Palma, which was No. 5 in the state this week, might have a case if it were to win the CIFSS Division II championship.
Elk Grove made a major push toward the top of the rankings as well by winning on Tuesday and if the Thundering Herd could have won the section title – especially without losing a game – their own No. 1 state candidacy would not have been far-fetched. Still, Elk Grove ended at 26-4 and is viewed as having a strong chance to be in the top 10 of the final state rankings.
Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com.
Friday, May 23
Sheldon rises to 'monster' occasion
Sheldon rises to 'monster' occasion
The defending champion shuts out Elk Grove twice for its third section title.
By Quwan Spears - qspears@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, May 23, 2008
You can tell a lot about an event by the company it keeps. In the case of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I softball championship, it drew a boisterous crowd of an estimated 1,000 for the monster matchup between defending champion Sheldon High School and perennial power Elk Grove.
And after all the power pitches, huge defensive plays and key hits, Sheldon came away with two 1-0 victories and claimed their second consecutive section title and third overall from the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament.
"This is really special," said Sheldon coach Mary Jo Truesdale, who stands at 500 career victories. "I was thinking maybe it wouldn't happen this year. But I guess it was meant to be."
Sheldon entered the week ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today. But the Huskies saw their mythical national title hopes vanish Tuesday, losing to Elk Grove 4-3 in a winner's bracket game and falling in the national poll to fourth Thursday.
As a result, the Huskies (32-2) played with less pressure, but determined. None better than Jolene Henderson, the Huskies' ace pitcher and The Bee's 2007 All-Metro Player of the Year.
Last season, she belted a three-run walk-off homer off Thundering Herd pitcher Allie Crump in the ninth inning and Sheldon won section title 3-0.
This time, she dominated on the mound. She struck out eight and pitched her second no-hitter in three games in the Huskies' Game 1 victory.
In the second game, she pitched a five-hitter, struck out 10, and got Janelle Wisdom to ground out to shortstop with runners on second and third and two outs in the sixth. It was Elk Grove's (27-4) best scoring opportunity of the game.
"Just look at the stands," Henderson said. "It was a lot of people here. So it made me want to be at my best. Plus, I was angry about the loss two days ago. I didn't get the job done then (allowing seven hits). But I came through this time."
So did Alexa Rivera, who produced the game-winning RBI for the Huskies in the second game with a fifth-inning double to left field off Crump, who gave up two runs on five hits in both games.
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Sheldon's Kristen Gray catches a pop fly with two hands during her team's Division I final against Elk Grove at the Sacramento Softball Complex. Carl Costas / ccostas@sacbee.com
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The Herd's Charlie Cisneros tried to make a diving catch, but the ball popped out of her glove and Cheyenne Cathey scored from third. "Just an incredible effort by Charlie," Herd coach Jeff Alexander said. "She had it in her glove. But when she hit the ground the ball came out."
Friday, May 23
Get Ready for another Sheldon-Elk Grove Title Tile
Get Ready for another Sheldon-Elk Grove Title Tilt
Sheldon’s 4-3 loss to Elk Grove on Tuesday was just a minor setback for the Huskies as they have made their way back to the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section championship game for the third straight season following their 3-0 win over the Fairfield Falcons.
Their 5-0 win over Grace Davis on Tuesday, followed two more shutout victories over Napa (2-0) and Fairfield Wednesday evening at the Sacramento Softball Complex.
Henderson’s shut out victory against Napa could only be outdone by her 10-strikeout, no-hit workman-like performance against Fairfield which managed just one base runner (walk) the entire way.
Sheldon third baseman Danielle Henderson started off the second inning with an infield single, but eventually scored on a throwing error putting the Huskies up 1-0.
In the fourth, junior catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt delivered the big hurt to Fairfield pitcher Melissa Logan when Ziegenhirt led off the inning with a solo home run. But Sheldon’s Danielle Henderson would score for the second time in the game on a single by Cheyenne Cathey in the fourth that put the Huskies up for good at 3-0.
The Sheldon win brings the much anticipated rematch of last year’s DI section title game after Elk Grove advanced to the big game with their 4-1 win over Fairfield that took place earlier in the evening.
A Sheldon-Elk Grove rematch has all the makings of high drama. With the two schools separated by just five miles, there is a natural rivalry. Both teams bring dominant starting pitching with Henderson of Sheldon and Allie Crump of Elk Grove, and both teams can hit for power or play “small ball”. Throw history into the mix with Henderson’s game winning homer off Crump in last year’s championship game, and Elk Grove’s win over Sheldon this week, you can expect a close, competitive battle.
If Sheldon should win Game 1 tonight, it will force a second and decisive game at 7:00pm.
Both schools have won one section title each with Elk Grove winning in 2004, and Sheldon winning last year. It all comes down to tonight.
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Despite the loss to Elk Grove early this week, the pitching of Sheldon's Henderson (left) will be ke
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Lindsey Ziegenhirt had this fourth inning HR that put Sheldon up 2-0 against Fairfield
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Thursday, May 29
Sheldon forces decisive championship game.
Sheldon forces decisive championship game
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| Photo by Bryan Higashino - Sheldon shortstop Morgan Otto tags out Elk Grove’s Sam Sinclair at second base after Sinclair was initially ruled safe but slid off the bag. |
By Jon Gudel and Marcos Rodriguez - Citizen Sports Writers
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008 6:50 PM CDT
Ten minutes before the first pitch, Elk Grove High School softball coach Jeff Alexander wrapped his arm around sophomore shortstop Chelsea Suitos as the two walked to right field for a team meeting prior to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game.
Alexander calmly smiled down at Suitos and said, “It’s going to be a good day.”
It was.
But not in the way Alexander had envisioned.
While the weather had cooled 20 degrees from Saturday’s sweltering 100-degree opening round at the Sacramento Softball Complex, so did Elk Grove’s bats as they tried to avenge last year’s loss to Sheldon in the section final and clinch the program’s second section title in school history.
Instead, Sheldon forced a decisive second game later that night by avoiding elimination for the fourth consecutive game. Junior pitcher Jolene Henderson tossed a no-hitter and struck out eight and also delivered the game-winning RBI single in a 1-0 shutout of Elk Grove last Thursday.
Because Elk Grove beat Sheldon 4-3 in the quarterfinals, Sheldon had to beat Elk Grove twice in the same night for back-to-back Division I section titles.
“We were coming out to win today because of the game on Tuesday and wanted to come out strong,” said Henderson, who surrendered a season-high four runs and seven hits in the previous loss to Elk Grove. “We knew if we did, it would be there.”
The rivalry between the Elk Grove and Sheldon softball programs is among the most decorated in the section. Henderson’s three-run, walk-off homer cemented the section title for Sheldon last season with a 3-0 win over Elk Grove in the championship game.
Both are perennial section contenders and state-ranked programs.
Sheldon entered the postseason ranked No. 1 nationally by USA Today.
That ranking tumbled when Sheldon suffered only its second loss of the season in its first playoff meeting with Elk Grove. The Lady Huskies responded by shutting out three consecutive opponents to reach the section final through the losers’ bracket.
“We came in very well prepared,” said Sheldon head coach Mary Jo Truesdale. “The girls were just ready to play this game.”
Game 1 of the section championship doubleheader evolved into another typical Elk Grove-Sheldon classic confrontation. Runs were at a premium and each mistake was scrutinized.
In the end, it wasn’t so much a mistake that doomed Elk Grove, but instead a near great catch that prevented a run momentarily. With Henderson and Elk Grove senior starter Allie Crump matching zeros through the initial three innings, the game consumed the feel of the first-team-to-score-would-win.
That was the case.
Sheldon scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on consecutive hits by catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt and Henderson. Ziegenhirt doubled with one-out as center fielder Megan Suitos nearly made a dramatic catch.
Suitos barreled into and over a makeshift plastic outfield fence. Although her body cleared the fence, the ball remained in play. Ziegenhirt thought about stretching it into a triple, but was content to stay at second.
On the next pitch, Henderson singled past diving second baseman Kayla Wright to score Ziegenhirt for a 1-0 lead.
“I was glad that she (Ziegenhirt) hit a double before that so I had someone to score,” said Henderson. “At least I got one even though it wasn’t that strong of a hit.”
Neither team put the ball in play until the fifth batter of the game. Henderson struck out the side in the top of the first and Crump struck out the first batter she faced in the bottom half.
Although Elk Grove was hitless, they had a runner on base in three of the final four innings. Charlie Cisneros reached on an error by second baseman Alexa Rivera, who bobbled the routine grounder and then threw wildly to first, in the fourth.
Cisneros was erased off the base paths after Crump grounded into a fielder’s choice. Shelby Wisdom flied out to center to end the inning.
Megan Suitos was hit-by-a-pitch with one out in the sixth, but did not advance after Chelsea Suitos struck out and Cisneros lined out to third.
Facing the middle of the order in the top of the seventh, Henderson worked out of her own trouble after walking Crump to lead off the inning. Shelby Wisdom sacrificed and Alex Basquez grounded out to third before Janelle Wisdom struck out to end the game.
“We didn’t hit. We need to change our approach at the plate,” said Alexander. “What we did today (Thursday) and yesterday are light years apart.”
Truesdale praised Henderson for overcoming her worst outing of the season in the previous start against Elk Grove.
“(Henderson) was much more ready today than in the previous game,” said Truesdale of her Cal-bound ace. “She felt more confident and had something to prove.”
Elk Grove ran itself out of a potential threat in the second when Shelby Wisdom reached on a one-out throwing error by shortstop Morgan Otto. Basquez bunted into a fielder’s choice as Wisdom was initially called safe at second, but she slid past the bag and was subsequently tagged out.
That play initiated a bad day for Elk Grove.
Tuesday, May 27
Sheldon returns to secion final through losers' bracket
Sheldon returns to section final through losers’ bracket
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| File photos/Bryan Higashino - Sheldon won three consecutive elimination games to clinch a berth in the Division I section finals for back-to-back seasons. |
By Jon Gudel - Sports Editor
Published: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
Earlier this season, the Sheldon and Elk Grove softball programs agreed to cancel a scheduled non-conference game in the final week of the regular season.
They did so because both head coaches – Sheldon’s Mary Jo Truesdale and Elk Grove’s Jeff Alexander – anticipated a possible meeting in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs and did not want to spoil the expectations.
Both coaches were accurate in their assessment.
Although Sheldon had to use unconventional methods, the defending Division I champions clinched a berth in the section championship game by winning three consecutive elimination games.
That came one day after Elk Grove handed Sheldon its second loss of the season. The Lady Huskies regrouped to enforce the 10-run mercy rule later that night against Grace Davis of Modesto and then beat Napa 2-0 last Wednesday.
Later Wednesday, Sheldon did just that by shutting out Fairfield 3-0 to work its way back to the section final against Elk Grove. The two established programs met for the second consecutive section final last Friday.
Sheldon had to beat Elk Grove twice in order to become the school’s first athletic program to win consecutive section titles. Elk Grove, which made its fourth section finals appearance under Alexander, lost to Sheldon 3-0 on a walk-off homer from then-sophomore Jolene Henderson in last year’s section final.
More of the same tension was expected this season.
“I think we’re ready,” said Truesdale of the section championship game, moments after Henderson tossed a third consecutive shutout in the playoffs with a two-hitter against Fairfield. “As long as we play our game we’ll be okay. As long as we play the way we are capable of. Be productive with our at-bats. Pick good pitches to hit.”
As for canceling the late-season showdown with Elk Grove, Truesdale admitted it was a smart decision for both schools. Instead of a regular season game against a perennial section contender, Sheldon scheduled Pioneer of Woodland for a light-hearted scrimmage.
“You don’t want to make a game bigger than a playoff game,” said Truesdale of the initial plans. “We didn’t want to do that. It worked out for both of us.”
Elk Grove had read about Sheldon’s ranking as the No. 1 or No. 2 team in the country for most of the season. Not to mention, they had nightmarish flashbacks of Henderson’s three-run homer still haunting those players that participated in last year’s championship game.
Even so, Elk Grove shocked the Division I landscape with a 4-3 win over Sheldon in the quarterfinals. The Lady Herd advanced to the section final with a 4-1 win over Fairfield.
Meanwhile, Sheldon avoided that dreadful second loss in the double-elimination format by doing what they had done all season: rely heavily on Henderson on the mound and produce offensively with timely hitting.
The Lady Huskies stayed true to form in a doubleheader sweep to assure a spot in last Friday’s Division I final. Henderson pitched a no-hitter, struck out 10 and allowed just one runner to reach base against Fairfield.
Freshman Danielle Henderson, the younger sister of Jolene, contributed two RBI doubles and her older sister did the rest in a shutout of Napa.
Less than two hours later, Sheldon completed its run through the losers’ bracket with a convincing win over Fairfield, which had eliminated Sheldon’s Delta River League counterpart, Pleasant Grove, in the first round by rallying from one-run deficits on three separate occasions.
“It’s always nice to be the underdog,” said Truesdale of slipping into the losers’ bracket. “We played some good teams to get here.”
Fairfield, which had also defeated Franklin earlier in the playoffs, was overmatched by Henderson’s changeup and fastballs in the strike zone. They also aided Henderson’s bid for a shutout streak of 24 consecutive innings by swinging at pitches out of the zone – in the dirt and above the letters.
Henderson wasted only five pitches in a perfect seventh inning to end the game.
“She did much better today,” said Truesdale of Henderson, who allowed a season-high seven hits and four runs to Elk Grove. “She was back on her game.”
Sheldon scored once in the bottom of the second and two more in the fourth, proving to be more than enough run support for the Cal-bound Henderson. Dejanee Moore provided an RBI triple in the second off Fairfield starter Melissa Logan.
Later in the inning, Moore was thrown out at home trying to score on a squeeze bunt from Ali Valdez.
Junior Lindsey Ziegenhirt, also committed to Cal along with Henderson, offered a majestic solo home run in the fourth for a 2-0 lead. Fooled by a changeup on the previous pitch, Ziegenhirt crushed a 1-2 pitch over the left-field fence for her first home run of the postseason and her seventh overall of the season.
Cheyenne Cathey added an RBI single in the fourth.
“She pounds the ball. She hits homers over our fence at the school and over the next fence,” said Truesdale of Ziegenhirt’s strength. “She’s going to be such a great addition to Cal. I’m just so fortunate she’s only a junior.”
One more season for Ziegenhirt and Henderson at Sheldon means at least one more title shot for Truesdale and the softball program.
Tuesday, May 27
Softball Playoffs: Sheldon, EG win 70-ft apart
Softball playoffs: Sheldon, Elk Grove win 70-feet apart
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| Sisters Danielle Henderson (2) and Jolene Henderson contributed to Sheldon’s 2-0 shutout of Napa. Danielle had two RBI doubles and Jolene allowed just two hits. |
By Jon Gudel - Sports Editor
Published: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
The accessibility of the four fields at the Sacramento Softball Complex is what makes the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I softball playoffs unique.
Viewing two games simultaneously is a realistic option considering 70 feet separates the fields. That was the case last Wednesday as two Division I games were played on Field 3 and Field 4 beginning at 5 p.m.
Sheldon inched closer to a return trip to the section finals with a 2-0 shutout of Napa, while Elk Grove earned a berth in the championship game with a 4-1 win over Fairfield.
Here’s a timeline of what transpired during both games.
4:56 p.m. – Along with head coach Jeff Alexander, Elk Grove sophomore Chelsea Suitos exchanges lineups with Fairfield head coach Ed Houck prior to the first pitch.
4:58 p.m. – As Sheldon takes the field for the top of the first inning, a field maintenance worker fixes the makeshift outfield fence that had partially blown down due to the windy conditions.
5 p.m. – Napa sophomore Alex Robben swings and misses on the first pitch of the game from Sheldon junior right-hander Jolene Henderson. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, top of 1st.
5:02 p.m. – Elk Grove’s Megan Suitos reaches on a throwing error by junior Stephanie Mauldin after a routine grounder to shortstop on the first pitch of the game. Elk Grove 0, Fairfield 0, top of 1st.
5:04 p.m. – Megan Suitos scored on Charlie Cisneros’ RBI groundout to second. Suitos, at third base, delayed on the grounder and then scampered down the line as the throw went to first. Elk Grove 1, Fairfield 0, top of 1st.
5:10 p.m. – Elk Grove junior Janelle Wisdom doubles to the right-center field gap to clear the bases for a two-out, three-run double off Fairfield starter Melissa Logan. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 0, top of 1st.
5:13 p.m. – Napa sophomore Devin Caldwell puts herself in scoring position with a one-out double off Henderson. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, top of 2nd.
5:16 p.m. – Henderson strikes out senior Kalina Calantoc to strand Caldwell at third base. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, middle of 2nd.
5:17 p.m. – Spotted a four-run lead, Elk Grove starter Allie Crump makes quick work of the bottom half of the first. The senior right-hander retires the side in order. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 0, end of 2nd.
5:22 p.m. – With a leadoff single to right, Napa produces its second hit in as many innings off Henderson and advances the runner into scoring position for the second consecutive inning. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, top of 3rd.
5:25 p.m. – Sheldon third baseman Danielle Henderson ranges to her left, cuts off a possible a run-scoring single to left and throws to first to end the threat. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, middle of 3rd.
5:29 p.m. – With a runner on first, Sheldon senior Morgan Otto became the second consecutive batter to bunt out on a sacrifice attempt. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, bottom of 3rd.
5:33 p.m. – Jolene Henderson needs just six pitches for a perfect fourth inning. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, middle of 4th.
5:35 p.m. – Elk Grove freshman Shelby Wisdom is thrown out at home trying to score from first on a single by Alex Basquez and subsequent fielding error by Fairfield right-fielder Stefanie Chainurux. Wisdom advanced to third on the single and then rounded the bag as Chainurux bobbled the ball, but Wisdom was thrown out by at least three feet. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 0, top of 3rd.
5:39 p.m. – Danielle Henderson snaps a scoreless tie with an RBI double to the center-field fence that was misjudged by the center fielder, who took two steps forward before realizing the ball was over her head. Napa 0, Sheldon 1, bottom of 4th.
5:42 p.m. – Fairfield’s Julia Sanchez nearly homered to left as she flied out just in front of the fence. Blustery winds blowing into the batter’s face prevented that from clearing the fence. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 0, bottom of 3rd.
5:55 p.m. – Jolene Henderson records third consecutive 1-2-3 inning and extends her streak of retiring 12 batters in a row. Napa 0, Sheldon 0, end of 6th.
5:59 p.m. – Elk Grove strands runners at second and third with one out after a popout and groundout to end the threat. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 0, middle of 5th.
6 p.m. – The Henderson sisters combine for a second run off Napa starter Mackenzey Bard. Jolene Henderson, who reached on an error and moved to second on a wild pitch, scores on Danielle’s second RBI double of the game. Napa 0, Sheldon 2, bottom of 6th.
6:05 p.m. – Fairfield cuts into Elk Grove’s four-run lead as Sofia Chainurux doubles to right field and Angelina Armstrong scores as the relay throw bounced away from Chelsea Suitos. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 1, bottom of 5th.
6:07 p.m. – Jolene Henderson caps a two-hit shutout by retiring the final 15 batters in order to advance Sheldon into an elimination game later that night. The game ended in a brisk 1 hour, 7 minutes. Napa 0, Sheldon 2, final.
6:11 p.m. – Chelsea Suitos pops out with runners on second and third and two outs. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 1, middle of 6th.
6:15 p.m. – After a leadoff single, Crump snags a liner and throws to first for a double play. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 1, bottom of 6th.
6:23 p.m. – Armstrong pops out to Chelsea Suitos in shallow left field to end the game. Elk Grove 4, Fairfield 1, final.
Thursday, May 22
Sheldon takes out frustration on Grace Davis
Sheldon takes out frustration on Grace Davis
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| Photo by Bryan Higashino - Sheldon catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt gets the ball stuck in her gear. Ziegenhirt and Sheldon regrouped to beat Grace Davis in the losers’ bracket. |
By John Hull - Citizen Sports Writer
Published: Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:28 PM CDT
After suffering only its second loss in 29 games this season, the Sheldon High School softball team took out its frustration by blanking Grace Davis, 10-0, in a losers’ bracket contest Tuesday night in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs.
Earlier that evening, Elk Grove shocked Sheldon with a 4-3 win.
Grace Davis, which earlier that day defeated St. Mary’s 3-0 to avoid elimination, sent its top pitcher, Desiree Maldonado, to the mound, but she could did little against Mary Jo Truesdale’s Delta River League champions.
“The top and the bottom of the lineup did a lot better job of producing,” Truesdale said afterwards. “And, I think Jolene (Henderson) was a little more on-it.”
Henderson struck out nine batters in the five-inning game, while surrendering only one hit.
“I think the kids are a little more relaxed now that everything is off their backs,” Truesdale said, referring to the Elk Grove loss and the stigma that comes with being the state’s top-ranked softball team. “You play better ball when you’re not so tight.”
-->Trailing 3-0, Grace Davis fell apart in the fourth inning when the Lady Huskies scored seven times and batted through the order. After Dejanee Moore walked to lead it off, Ali Valdez bunted the ball back to the pitcher, but the throw to second base to try for the force play ended up going over everyone’s head and all the way to the center-field fence to score Moore.
Cheyenne Cathey’s single to left scored Valdez to make it 5-0.
After a strikeout and a walk, Morgan Otto bunted, but the third baseman’s throw to first was dropped by the second baseman covering to allow another run to score.
Alexa Rivera grounded into an apparent double play, but the shortstop dropped the flip from the second baseman.
Lindsey Ziegenhirt then singled to right to score Otto. Henderson then bunted back to the pitcher, but her toss to home to force Rivera went to the backstop to inflate Sheldon’s margin to 8-0.
A pair came home when the 10th batter of the inning, Moore, singled to finish out the scoring.
Truesdale wasn’t all that surprised Grace Davis committed four errors in the fourth inning alone.
“On any given day, anything can happen,” she said. “That’s the beautiful thing about this sport. A ball can bounce this way and a call can go the other way. That’s the neat thing about the game, different kids can come through at different times.
“In this kind of tournament, things can happen,” Truesdale continued. “(In the past) teams have won it and it’s been a surprise. I’ve told the kids before, ‘you’re young enough; you can go ahead and play another game another day.’”
Saturday, May 17
There's no separating Sheldon and Elk Grove
The two teams meet in today's final – same as last year.
Jeff Alexander's prediction was not perfect, but it was pretty close. When the season began, Elk Grove's coach thought his team would play Sheldon for the California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Section Division I softball title.
He just miscalculated the paths.
"When I looked into my crystal ball, I saw us playing Sheldon again," Alexander said. "What I didn't expect was the paths taken. I don't think many people expected us to be the last team standing and coming out of the winners' bracket and them from the losers'."
Both teams advanced to today's final at the Sacramento Softball Complex after beating Fairfield on Wednesday.
Janelle Wisdom hit a three-run double and led the Herd, 27-2 overall and ranked 18th in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, to a 4-1 victory over the Falcons in a winners' bracket game. In the losers' bracket nightcap, pitcher Jolene Henderson and catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt helped the top-ranked Huskies (30-2) eliminate the Falcons 3-0. Sheldon also sent home Napa 2-0 earlier.
Henderson pitched a no-hitter, struck out 10 and allowed one batter to reach base, and Ziegenhirt hit a solo home run.
Today's matchup will be a rematch of last year's title game. Sheldon won 3-0 in nine innings on Henderson's three-run, walkoff home run.
Elk Grove, however, has the momentum. Led by standout pitcher Allie Crump, the Herd knocked off the Huskies 4-3 on Tuesday. Crump tossed a three-hitter and struck out 10 as the Herd ruined Sheldon's chance of a mythical national championship. The Huskies entered the week ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today.
"I have some confidence going in," Crump said. "At the same time, it's their second time seeing me. They have an idea of what pitches I used to get them out. Then again, that could get into their heads and they may second-guess themselves."
With its national title hopes gone, Sheldon enters with less pressure.
"Losing to Elk Grove the first time humbled us a little bit," Ziegenhirt said. "But it also allows us to play the next game for fun. When we had the No. 1 ranking, we had to play for everybody else."
Wednesday, May 21
Huskies end Napa Indians' season
Huskies end Indians' season
By ERIN LAWLEY
Register Sports Writer
SACRAMENTO - Napa High’s softball team showed it can hold its own against the country’s best.
Sheldon-Elk Grove, the nation’s No. 1 team according to Rivals.com, beat the Indians 2-0 Wednesday evening in the consolation bracket of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs at the Sacramento Softball Complex.
“It was special from the start since we returned all our players,” Napa head coach John O’Connor said. “We did even better this season. It was a very special season. Hopefully it’s a memory for all of them their whole lives. It is for me.”
Sheldon (29-2 overall) continued on Wednesday night with a game against Fairfield — which had lost 4-1 to Elk Grove earlier in the day — and beat the Falcons 3-0 to advance to today’s 5 p.m. championship game against the Thundering Herd.
Elk Grove, which is undefeated in the postseason, beat Sheldon 4-3 on Tuesday. An Elk Grove loss this evening will force a 7 p.m. game for the title.
Sheldon’s Lindsey Ziegenhirt drew a walk to lead off the fourth inning and was sacrificed to second on Jolene Henderson’s bunt. She scored two pitches later on Danielle Henderson’s line drive to center field.
The Huskies managed an insurance run in the sixth inning when Jolene Henderson reached on an error, took second on a passed ball and scored on the second misplay of the frame.
Monday, May 19
Henderson leads Sheldon to Win, Baffles Lodi with 2-hit Shutout.
Henderson Leads Sheldon to Win, Baffles Lodi with 2-hit Shutout
Sheldon Huskies junior Jolene Henderson pitched a complete game, 2-0 victory over the Lodi Fames Saturday, to advance Sheldon into the third round of the Division I Sac-Joaquin playoffs.
This season, the Huskies are looking to make it back-to-back section titles, and victories over Bear Creek and Lodi put the Huskies two steps closer to another title.
Although Henderson was dominating Lodi’s lineup, but Lodi sophomore Tori Shepard was impressive herself as Shepard held the vaunted Huskies to only four hits on the day, but it was Sheldon’s two runs in the first inning that proved to be the difference in the game. Shepard finished the game with nine strikeouts and allowed no walks.
Senior Morgan Otto (1 for 3) led off the bottom of the first with a single to center, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alexa Rivera, when junior Lindsey Ziegenhirt (1 for 3) hit a rocket shot down the leftfield line scoring Morgan and resulting in a stand up double for Ziegenhirt. Henderson (1 for 3) helped her own cause with an RBI single to score Ziegenhirt for Sheldon’s only runs of the game.
Sheldon threatened again in sixth when Henderson reached base on an error, and was then followed by her sister Danielle Henderson (1 for 3) who hit a double putting Jolene at third and Danielle and second with two outs, but Shepard struck out Dejanee Moore to end the Sheldon threat with no runs.
Henderson allowed just two hits, one walk, and struck out nine. At one point from the second through the fourth, Henderson struck out seven straight Lodi batters.
The Huskies’ third round match up will take place Tuesday, May 20th, 5:00pm, at the Sacramento Softball Complex.
%20and%20Dejanee%20Moore%20(right)%20were%20all%20smiles%20Saturday.jpg)
Sheldon's Jolene Henderson (left) and DeJanee Moore ( | |
