Maeve Gilbert hit a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning to give the Piedmont High School softball team a 7-5 win over visiting Alameda on April 10. The win raises the Highlanders’ record to 5-6 on the season, and 1-4 in West Alameda County Foothill League play.
Gilbert had been 0-for-3 entering the at bat. But after Kyra Gardner led off with a single, Gilbert ended the game.
“It was my first walk-off home run and I was thrilled we got the win against the Hornets,” a giddy Gilbert said after the game. “It was a great team effort and I was happy to contribute both on defense and offense.”
Gardner and Camille Creighton also had home runs for Piedmont.
The Hornets got off to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st before Creighton tied the game on her homer. Piedmont took the lead in the third when Rachel Elliott led off with a walk, moved to second on a passed ball, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Caroline Strauch. Creighton walked leading off the fourth, stole second and eventually stole home to make it 3-1. Later in the inning, Chloe Tjogas reached on an error and was doubled home by Kylie Heller, extending the lead to 4-1.
Camille Creighton ready to steal home 
Kyra Gardner on her HR trot 
Erin Sturdivant catches a pop up
Lucy Helms singled in a run for Alameda in the fifth to cut the lead to 4-2. Gardner’s home run leading off the 6th put Piedmont up 5-2.
But the Hornets came roaring back with three in the top of the 7th. Helms had the key hit, doubling in two runs to tie the score and setting the stage for Gilbert’s heroics.
Chloe Tjogas at bat 
Chiara Lundin on second 
Caroline Strauch ready to hit
The Highlanders next game is April 24, when they face Berkeley at home. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Photos by Len Gilbert