D-1: Cougars drop heartbreaker

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 25, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-24-22) – A late run created by an error cost the Steele Canyon Cougars as they drop a heartbreaker to the visiting Eastlake Titans, 3-2, in an elimination game of the CIFSDS Division I Championship on Tuesday.

The 10th-seeded Titans would strike first with a pair of runs in the first inning as Abby Steffen belted a two-run home run over the left-field fence.

Steele Canyon though would scratch a run back in the bottom of the inning when with two outs Isabella Smith doubled in Madison Villaescusas to pull within 2-1.

The Cougars in the bottom of the third inning would tie the game up at 2-2 when Janea Wilson hit a ground ball that was misplayed allowing Jazmin Williams to come in and score.

Another opportunity presented itself to the Cougars in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out as Mariah Mata and Isabella Azevedo hit back-to-back singles but both would be stranded as the Titans would get out of the inning.

Rylee Alfaro would get the win as she struck out six over seven innings in which she allowed two runs on seven hits.

For the Cougars, Emma Shellstrom was tagged with the loss as she allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings while striking out three.

With the loss, the Cougars are officially eliminated and finish their season 18-13-1. Meanwhile, the Titans (12-14) advance to take on Cathedral Catholic on Thursday at the Poway Sportsplex USA.