D-1: Crusaders too much for Steele

By Adam Paul
Updated: May 22, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

CHULA VISTA – Three early runs set the table for the top-seeded Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders as they downed fifth seed Steele Canyon, 6-2, on Saturday.

Mater Dei would push across three runs in the bottom of the first with an RBI single by Michelle Cervantes and a two-run triple by Ayanna Shaw.

As both side’s pitching wasn’t giving an inch the Cougars would finally break through and get on the board in the top of the fifth inning.

With one out Jazmin Williams singled, Abby Curran followed with a base hit and Allyson Haessly would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. The following batter Janea Wilson would draw a walk that allowed Williams to trot home to make it 3-1, the next batter Isabella Smith would drive in Breanna Lakin who came into run to pull within 3-2 but that would be all they would get in the inning.

Mater Dei again would take advantage of opportunities in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cervantes doubled in Shaw and Hiner followed with an inside-the-park two-run home run. ‘

The Cougars in the top of the sixth inning started off with a walk to Isabella Azevedo but that would be wiped out with a double-play ball followed by the next batter being retired to end the inning.

Another opportunity presented itself in the top of the seventh inning as Curran led off with a base hit but once again that opportunity would be squashed as the next batter was retired on a fly ball which was followed by a double play to end the game.

Emma Shellstrom took the loss for the Cougars, on the day she would allow six runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out four.

With the loss, the Cougars fall to 18-12-1 and will host the Eastlake Titans who defeated University City 7-2 on Saturday.

Mater Dei Catholic with the victory advances to the Semi-Finals to be played at the Santee Sportsplex to be played on Thursday.

Brawley 4, Santana 3
BRAWLEY – A pair of runs scored late by the Brawley Wildcats made all the difference as they held onto beat the Santana Sultans on Saturday in a Challenger’s bracket elimination game.

Santana despite the long travel down to the Valley the day after prom showed no signs of being tired as they would take an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

With two outs Haley Oceguera would line a base hit to right field which was followed by a big blast by Kassidy Harper over the left-field fence for her eighth of the season.

But the Wildcats would scratch a run back in the bottom of the inning thanks to a two-out RBI single by Caryzma Aguilar to make it 2-1.

Brawley would tie up the game in the bottom of the second inning when Abbey Ruiz hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Jocelyn Ubence to tag up from third and race home.

The Sultans had an opportunity in the top of the fourth as Harper singled and McKenna Miller walked with two outs but both would be stranded.

Later in the bottom of the fifth, the Wildcats would break the tie as Ubence would drive in Aguilar and Brianna Sandoval would come into score on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2.

Down to their final at-bat the Sultans in the top of the seventh inning, thanks to a one-out single by Taylinn Warren who would advance to second on a passed ball would around to score when Emma Schneider followed with a base hit to left field pulling them within 4-3. However, the rally would be squelched when Dylann Baker would retire the next two batters to end the game.

For the Sultans, Ashtyn Niemiec who got the start would take the loss as she went five innings in which she allowed four runs on six hits while walking five, and Gracie Johnston who came in and tossed an inning in relief gave up one hit and struck out one.

Baker who got the nod for the Wildcats went all seven innings in which she allowed three runs on five hits while walking three and striking out one on the day.

Santana with the loss is officially eliminated and finishes the season 13-16.

Brawley improves to 20-9 and will travel inland on Tuesday as they will take on Cathedral Catholic who dropped their contest to Mt. Carmel on Saturday.