The skies remained blue and the sun bright throughout the May 18 championship softball game at San Francisco State as the second-seeded Cardinals pulled the upset, shutting out the first-seeded Eagles 11-1, ending the game in the 5th inning by the 10-run mercy rule.

This is the Cardinals’ 14th overall title, and according to coach Sascha Taylor-Ray, the girls played outstandingly.

Senior first baseman Chloe Roddy had two homeruns in the fourth and fifth innings which were momentum shifts for the Cardinals.

But the mercy ruling could not have been done without the strong arm of junior pitcher Michelle Willis, who had four strikeouts.

Other notable plays came from starting freshmen leftfielder Gretal (“G.G.”) Guntler and third baseman Samantha Yee, who both made amazing base hits and defensive plays.

The Cardinals played with more heart and confidence than they did in their loss to the Eagles 5-7 on May 3rd. “We had all been mentally prepared and were less tentative than the last time we played them,” Michelle Willis said. “As a team, everyone was playing their game and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Prior the championship game, the Cardinals had swept the Lincoln Mustangs 16-2 at Parkside Field. “This game was crucial to building our confidence for the championship game,” Roddy said.

Come support the Cardinals today at 4 p.m. at Jones Field in Oakland against the OAL Champion, Skyline High School in the Transbay Series. Game two of the best-of-three series will be held at 4 p.m. at Lang Field on May 23.