Dons, behind Faraimo’s 17 K’S, scratch Cougars

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 17, 2018

Photo by Don Demars Photography

SAN DIEGO CIF OPEN DIVISION

#1 CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC 3, #8 STEELE CANYON 0

The Dons behind the strong pitching and a couple insurance runs late garner the victory over the Cougars.

Steele Canyon (19-13) knew it was going to be a tough day as they were going up against Megan Faraimo who is considered the best pitcher in the nation and also headed to UCLA next year. Right away in the top of the first Faraimo showed her dominance as she retired the Cougars in order all on strikeouts.

Cathedral Catholic (24-3) knew they only had to put a run on the board and they would give themselves an excellent shot at winning. With one out in the bottom of the first inning Kaelene Walter lined a single to left, Jacey Bourgeois followed with lined single to left which advanced Walter to third, Sara Rusconi hit a fly ball to center that was caught which allowed Walter to tag and score to give the Dons a 1-0 lead, however on the same play Julia Van Wey who came into run was doubled out at first by JJ Venzor.

Steele Canyon was hanging tough with the top seeded Dons as Grace Richter was keeping the Dons offense in check by matching what Faraimo was doing.

However in the bottom of the fifth Cathedral Catholic with two outs received a single by Walter followed by a roped double by Bourgeois that brought Walter home to make it 2-0, Van Wey into run, she would come around to score on the throw on a base hit by Rusconi to center. With Van Wey scoring the Dons now led 3-0.

This was more than enough run support for Faraimo as she carried a perfect game into the top of the seventh. With the Cougars needing runners, leadoff hitter Elizabeth Bott laid down a perfect bunt to third base for a hit breaking up the perfect game. Unfortunately that would be the farthest Bott would get as Faraimo retired the next three batters to end the game.

Richter for the Cougars went 6 innings giving up 3 runs which all were earned on 10 hits while walking 1 and striking out 1 in the loss.

For Cathedral Faraimo pitched a complete 7 inning victory giving up one hit while walking none and fanning 17 on the day.

Steele Canyon will now play on Saturday against the fourth seeded Granite Hills Eagles at 10 am while the top seeded Dons will have a home game against the fifth seeded Bonita Vista Barons.