LODI — The Golden Sierra High softball team’s first postseason appearance since 2002 was a short one.

The Grizzlies fell to Le Grand 7-3 on Thursday in the teams’ opening game of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoffs. Still, the fact that Golden Sierra got even a taste of the postseason this year speaks volumes about where the program is headed, coach Calvin Howard said.

“We’ve had a phenomenal season,” said Howard, whose team finished 17-6.

Ali Brownell led the Grizzlies offensively in the loss to Le Grand. The senior first baseman went 3-for-3, drove in one run in the third inning and scored another in the sixth.

Junior second baseman Molly Howard scored Golden Sierra’s first run after getting on with a two-out double. Freshman shortstop Karla Miller singled and scored in the fourth inning, coming home when junior catcher Shelby Briones doubled over the center fielder’s head.

Freshman pitcher Sarah Rasmussen took the loss for Golden Sierra. Several of the runs she allowed were unearned.