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Woodside pitcher Gabby Andino got the win against Warwick on Wednesday. Photo by Rob Ostermaier/Daily Press


‘Amazing’ zero hero

Sophomore Gabby Andino pitches yet another shutout as Peninsula leader Woodside stays undefeated.

By DAVE JOHNSON | djohnson@dailypress.com | 247-4649

NEWPORT NEWS — With the roll Gabby Andino has been on, Woodside coach Mike Tallon keeps hearing the same old question: Why the heck didn’t he pitch her more last year?

The simple answer, Tallon tells everybody, is that Andino was a freshman who wasn’t ready to carry the load. But now, as a sophomore, she clearly is.
In blanking Warwick 1-0 Wednesday afternoon at Woodside, Andino threw her seventh consecutive shutout to start the season. She hasn’t given up a run — earned or otherwise — in 42 innings.

“She’s a sophomore who has only been pitching two years,” Tallon marveled. “She’s still raw, but the difference in her between last year and this year is amazing.”

Amazing pretty much covers Andino’s start. She held Warwick, arguably the best offensive team in the Peninsula District, to five hits. The Raiders (6-3 overall, 6-2 district) put some pressure on her early but stranded four runners through three innings. Andino got out of another jam in the sixth with a double play.

Woodside (7-0), a team most figured to be a year away from title contention, remains the only unbeaten team in the district. And Andino’s remarkable run is a big reason.

“Coach Tallon tells us all the time how defense wins games,” she said. “If you play defense and put some balls in play on offense, you’re going to win some games.”

After leaving the bases loaded in the first inning, the Wolverines got the only run they would need in the second. With Lauren Sepulveda at first base and two out, Tallon called for her to steal second. The throw wasn’t close, and Woodside had a runner in scoring position for leadoff hitter Kristie Hoeffer.

“They didn’t expect it,” Tallon said. “You expect certain people to steal, but we’ll send anybody. It doesn’t matter. When you’re not hitting the ball, you have to try something else.”

Hoeffer then looped a hit just between the shortstop and center fielder, allowing Sepulveda to score what turned out to be the game’s only run.

“I didn’t think the ball would get out there,” Hoeffer said. “That surprised me.”

Woodside had other chances to create a cushion, but Warwick’s Travonna Byrd kept shutting the door. Byrd, who was hit in the ribs by an errant throw from a Woodside fielder prior to batting in the first inning, held the Wolverines to three hits and struck out 12.

“She pitched pretty good,” Warwick coach Jimmy Dawson said. “We knew it would be a tight game. Woodside’s an up-and-coming team, and that was the best I’ve seen (Andino) pitch.”

WOODSIDE 1, WARWICK 0
Warwick 000 000 0 — 0 5 0
Woodside 010 000 x — 1 3 0
WP — Andino (7-0). LP — Byrd (6-3). Standouts — Warwick, Ward 2-3, Atkins 2-2, Byrd 12 strikeouts; Woodside, Hale 2-3. Records — Warwick 6-3, 6-2 Peninsula District; Woodside 7-0, 7-0.

[WOHS Softball Fan]

Great Job Woodside! What a BIG win! Andino, keep striving to be better and set your goals high each game! Hoeffer, way to get the only RBI! Good Luck Friday against Gloucester.

[red J whs]

Woodside just wanted it more and they played with more intensity, and they were able to come up with the big plays when they needed them. Hopefully warwick will pull it together and bring those bats alive, and winout the rest of the season. And shouts out to Byrd, Ward, and Atkins who did they best in yesterday's game and kept warwick in the game defensively and provided a strong effort offensively, unfortunetly it wasnt enough.

[sportsfan1]

Good game. Seems like Woodside centers the team around 2 players Andino and Hoeffer. Warwick's Byrd should be proud only giving up 3 hits and 12 strikeouts. Good luck rest of season everyone!

[CoachBell]

I believe with 7 Consecutive shutouts that is a PD record as well as a State Record. The overall state record is 12 consecutive shutouts by Tincher who now plays for Tech. Coach at Woodside should take a look at it to determine if Adino can go into VSHL Record Books.

With all the Talent on Warwick's team I wouldn't count them out as of yet. Woodside still has a tough match up this week I think against Gloucester?

It would be interesting to see Woodside would compete against a few of the BRD teams that have several of their players that play with Adino and Hoeffer on their travel team.

Good Luck Gabby and Kristie keep up the good work. Warwick girls keep your heads up, things are about to turn around for ya.

[softball4girls]

wow dude... warwick is getting their butts kicked. they haven't won a "real" game since gloucester. was the win against gloucester all Warwick hoped to accomplish this season?

[League of Their Own]

Woodside looked good yesterday. They were played with intensity and earned the win. Good Job Woodside! Warwick on the other hand still has a lot of unanswered questions. Why is Gotomski not batting in the top for Warwick? Why is King getting walked? Why is Byrd doing all of the pitching? Why is Baldwin on the bench.? Does Warwick have anyone else on the bench or on JV that can put down a bunt? Why is Dawson's eyes closed while trying to bunt? Why can't Warwick get down a bunt? Why can't Warwick hit the ball? Why did Atkins take off running on a one out pop up? Why didn't Byrd or King show up offensively? These are questions that better get answered quick if this team expects to advance. There's a real prblem in Raiderland.