By: Generated by uReport

IRVINE, Calif. -- OUAZ kept its postseason run alive Wednesday afternoon with a 2-1 walk-off win over Hope International in seven innings at the 2026 GSAC Softball Championship at Great Park Sports Complex. Alexis Jimenez delivered the decisive moment with a two-out triple in the bottom of the seventh, driving in Brianna Humphries and sending OUAZ to Wednesday's championship game against Embry-Riddle.

Hope International struck first and controlled the game for much of the afternoon. In the top of the first inning, Gabriela Holmes came around to score on Dejalei Visesio's single up the middle, giving Hope a 1-0 lead. Behind Karlie Bilbrey in the circle, the Royals made that run stand through five scoreless innings, limiting OUAZ's chances even as the Spirit consistently put runners on base. Bilbrey worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and two runs while striking out four.

OUAZ finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. After spending most of the game one timely hit away, the Spirit drew even when Angelina Granado brought home Maddy Syverson with an RBI groundout, tying the score at 1-1. That run ended a long stretch in which Hope had protected its early advantage, despite OUAZ's pressure on the bases. The Spirit finished with eight hits, two doubles, one triple and three stolen bases, while both teams played error-free defense.

The winning rally came in the seventh and matched the key moment noted throughout the tournament day. Humphries, who doubled earlier and reached base three times, came around as Jimenez lined a walk-off triple to right-center with two outs. Jimenez finished with the game's only triple and the winning RBI, turning a tight pitchers' duel into a celebration for OUAZ on the infield.

OUAZ stayed in position for the comeback because Stephanie Cortazar was dominant in relief. She entered after Ava Seguin opened the game and went 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with two walks to earn the win and improve to 14-3. Seguin also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a run and a walk. Hope managed only three hits overall and did not score after the opening inning.