Alhambra Softball: NCS D-III Champs – Walk-Off HR!
Hailey Powers blasted a walk-off home run to secure the NCS Division III softball championship for the Alhambra Bulldogs! In a nail-biting final, Alhambra triumphed over San Leandro with a 7-6 victory, marking their frist title since 2016. The sophomore’s game-winning homer capped off a hard-fought battle, with San Leandro mounting a late comeback to tie the game before Powers’ heroics.Senior Willa Adler pitched a complete game, supporting the Bulldogs’ march to claim this year’s softball championship. This dramatic win showcases the team’s resilience and determination. For more on this amazing game and other local sports updates, visit News Directory 3. Discover what’s next for the Alhambra Bulldogs.
Alhambra Bulldogs Secure NCS Division III Softball Championship with Walk-Off Homer
Updated May 31,2025
Pleasant Hill,Calif. — Alhambra High School’s Hailey Powers propelled her team to victory Saturday with a dramatic walk-off home run, clinching the North Coast Section (NCS) Division III softball championship. The Alhambra Bulldogs defeated the San Leandro Pirates 7-6 in a tense final at diablo Valley College.
Powers, a sophomore, said she was looking for a pitch she could drive. After fouling off the first pitch, she connected on the second, sending it over the fence for her first-ever high school home run.
“I was in shock,” Powers said, still processing the moment. “I didn’t think I could hit it over.”
Senior willa Adler expressed complete confidence in Powers’ ability. “She’s an astonishing player,” Adler said.“She 100% could hit that home run. She’s got it.”
The game was a hard-fought battle, with San Leandro mounting a late comeback. Trailing 6-3 in the top of the seventh, the Pirates rallied to tie the game.Isabella Lopez Puertas drove in a run with a groundout, and Jade Orta’s ground ball, combined with Alhambra errors, brought in two more. Marina Sacrey then tied the score with a sharp hit to left field.
San Leandro’s coach, Kelsi Thomas, praised her team’s resilience. “Our team is just full of grit and determination,” Thomas said, acknowledging their near-victory in the softball championship game.
Earlier in the game, Sacrey had given San Leandro an early lead with a home run. Alhambra responded with juliana Carranza driving in Mia Brady.Alhambra took the lead in the fourth, capitalizing on San leandro errors. Payton Radke added another run in the fifth, while Camryn Gilbert drove in a run for San Leandro in the sixth.
Alhambra coach Adam McLane noted the game mirrored their season. “I told the girls that this game was a microcosm of our whole season,” McLane said. “We battled back, jumped on top, let them right back into it, but then found a way at the end to put it away.”
Powers and angelina Lopez each had two hits for Alhambra (17-10). Adler pitched a complete game, striking out seven. Sacrey led San Leandro (21-8) with three hits and an RBI. This NCS title marks Alhambra’s sixth, their first since a Division II three-peat from 2014-16.
What’s next
Alhambra will not participate in the NorCal tournament due to a scheduling conflict with their graduation ceremony. For seniors like Adler and Brady, winning the NCS championship was the perfect way to end their high school careers.