Another SCL title added to T-Girls growing dynasty

Petaluma High School’s domination of Sonoma County League softball continues. A 3-0 win over Sonoma Valley on Thursday afternoon gave Petaluma’s T-Girls a share of their sixth consecutive league championship. This year, it is a title the Petaluma girls share with Analy at 11-1 after the league powers split their two league games.

Sonoma Valley didn’t make clinching its share of the pennant easy for the T-Girls, only grudgingly giving up the runs that kept the Petaluma title streak alive.

Not that T-Girl pitcher Ava Chabot needed a lot of runs. On a day Petaluma honored its seniors, it was the freshman who dominated. She allowed only four hits, walked two and struck out nine.

What Chabot did need - and received - was good defense. Most of the T-Girls glove plays were routine, but there was some exceptional leather work.

The third-base pick-off of Sonoma’s excellent lead-off hitter Hayden Pearce following her third-inning triple was remarkable. Petaluma catcher Emily DeCarli and third baseman Alexi Silinonte handled the ensuing run-down in almost text-book fashion.

The game ended on another piece of T-Girl defensive efficiency, with just a touch of luck added.

With one out and a runner at first, Petaluma put on a pick-off play that had second baseman Kailee Silacci swinging over in an attempt to pick off the runner. Meanwhile, Chabot delivered a pitch that was popped over the head of first baseman Grace Ghiradelli - right into Silacci’s waiting glove. An easy toss doubled the runner off first and the game was over.

Petaluma got Chabot the only run she needed in classic T-Girl fashion in the third inning, using a single by Indya Smith, DeCarli’s perfect sacrifice bunt and Emily Corda’s clutch two-out single to left.

Just to be sure, Petaluma bought its young pitcher insurance in the sixth, mixing a single by Paula Binsfeld, a sacrfice that resulted in a throwing error, a run-scoring wild pitch and Silacci’s run-producing ground out for two runs.

Chabot’s arm and the team’s gloves did the rest.