Chowchilla pounds way to Division III softball title; Avenal captures first crown
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chowchilla scored in every inning except the fifth to win the Division III title.
- Chowchilla won 11-6, marking the program’s first section title since 2011.
- Avenal won its first section championship with an 11-0 victory and two-hit shutout.
The Chowchilla High softball team built its season on a powerful offense and high-scoring games.
Entering Thursday’s Central Section Division III championship game, the Tribe had scored 10 or more runs in 18 contests this season.
That offensive firepower carried over to the title game against Hanford West.
Chowchilla scored in every inning except the fifth and rolled to an 11-6 victory Thursday at Margie Wright Diamond at Fresno State.
According to section historian Bob Barnett, it was Chowchilla’s first section title since 2011 and the third in program history.
After surrendering a solo home run to LSU-bound Karmen Vasquez in the top of the first, the Tribe answered with three runs in the bottom half. Ava Diaz highlighted the inning with a two-run double.
Chowchilla kept the pressure on in the second inning when Briana Guardado delivered a two-run triple to extend the lead to 6-2.
Avery Tomlinson added another two-run triple in the third inning as the Tribe built an 8-2 advantage.
Division VI championship
Neither Avenal nor Minarets had won a section softball title entering Thursday’s Division VI championship game at Fresno State.
By the end of the day, Avenal was celebrating history.
The Buccaneers flexed their offensive muscle in an 11-0 victory to capture the program’s first section championship.
Emma Morales led the attack, going 2 for 4 with a double and four RBI. Layla Lopez finished 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI.
Avenal also received a dominant performance from pitcher Khloe Nieto, who tossed a two-hit shutout and struck out nine.
