WG's Siehl wins all-tourney team berth at Charlie Miguel

By Dick Sparrer

Rachel Siehl may just be a freshman playing her first few weeks of high school softball, but the Willow Glen pitcher already has a varsity award to hang on her wall.

Siehl was named to the all-tournament team at the Charlie Miguel Tournament last weekend after helping the Rams to an impressive 2-2 finish in a rugged field.

Siehl tossed a 2-hit shutout to lead the Rams to a 7-0 win over Santa Clara, and she also recorded an impressive .455 batting average over the four games of the tourney.

"She's a tough competitor," said Willow Glen coach Brian McGarry of Siehl.

Actually, both of Willow Glen's wins in the tournament with shutouts and both of the Rams' losses were to Central Coast Section powerhouses.

A week before Siehl's shutout win over Santa Clara, Janelle Calderon blanked Soquel 1-0. It was a solo home run in the seventh by Jamie Andrews that proved the difference in the game.

"She just roped one," said McGarry of Andrews' game-winning blast. "And [Calderon] had an incredible day pitching."

Willow Glen lost an 8-7 heartbreaker to Milpitas the same weekend. The Trojans, a CCS semifinalist last season, opened up an early 6-0 lead, but the Rams battled back and tied it 7-7 in the late innings. Milpitas broke the tie with a run to win it in the final frame.

"The girls showed a lot of poise that day," said McGarry. "It's still a young team, and they're learning."

"They aren't backing down," he said.

Willow Glen nailed the 7-0 tourney win over Santa Clara last Friday night. Siehl struck out six and walked just one in whirling a 2-hitter for the Rams.

Siehl and Andrews ripped two hits apiece to lead the offensive attack for the Rams, and Mikka Dixon belted a two-run double.

It was a four-run rally in the fourth that sparked Willow Glen to the victory. Singles by Siehl, Andrews and Angie Keeth keyed the rally.

Willow Glen lost 9-0 to Notre Dame-Belmont on Saturday. Notre Dame, a CCS finalist last spring, went on to win the tourney title.

The Rams opened play last week with a lopsided 12-2 win over Yerba Buena.

Siehl flipped a 1-hitter for the win and Keeth led the bat attack with a two-run double.

Willow Glen opened play in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League on Thursday and dropped a 6-2 decision to Prospect.

Marina Mendez tripled and ripped a solo homer in the loss.

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Siehl earns honors at Charlie Miguel Tournament