© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (5-31-09) — Plans to replicate the great achievement from the 2004 season were hopeful, when East County high schools captured three SDCIF fastpitch championships.

There would have been satisfaction with a recurrence from the 1989 season, when half of a record four East County programs gained SDCIF trophies.

Yet, never has as many as three schools hailing from the Metro East portion of San Diego County all reached the San Diego Section finals, with none coming home with the hardware.

On a dreary, severely overcast day at San Diego State, the weather definitely reflected the results on the field after Christian, Santana and Steele Canyon all gained the opportunity to add to each school's success, but each came away empty-handed in one-sided setbacks.

"The fact that there are three teams representing East County in the CIF finals is pretty fantastic in itself," said Steele Canyon coach JULIE BOHE. "Being runner-up is nothing to hang your head about."

On this Saturday (May 30) Christian fell in the Division IV title game to top-seeded Francis Parker, 6-3, as the Lancers claimed a fourth consecutive crown. Santana, the season-long top-ranked team in Division III, was stopped by streaking University City, 12-2, in a run-rule shortened contest. And Steele Canyon, the lone undefeated team in the Division II tournament, fell to top-seeded Mt. Carmel, which raced through the challenger bracket to secure a third consecutive title.

In Division I, Rancho Bernardo wrapped up the mythical county title after slipping past El Camino, 1-0.

CIF DIVISION II FINAL — Mt. Carmel 8, Steele Canyon 2

Mt. Carmel pitcher Briana Williams (second from left, glove raised) tossed a 2-hitter with seven strikeouts, giving the Sundevils a third straight CIFSDS Division II title after stopping Steele Canyon. (Photo and slideshow by Jeanne Royce)

Little did they know, the team's next basehit wouldn't occur until a KELLY CASH single in the 7th inning, as Sundevils sophomore pitcher Briana Williams spun a 2-hitter in powering Mt. Carmel to a third consecutive championship.

Despite some early control problems – a pair of walks followed by Daigle's shot to right-center field – Williams always seemed to know just when to throw her changeup to keep the Cougars off-balance.

"The double freaked me out a little bit – I'm not going to lie," admitted Williams. "It was my first CIF, so I guess I was a little nervous. But in the middle of the game, I beared down and really worked hard and threw a little bit more in on their hitters. I just took a deep breath."

Second baseman Maggie Doremus paced Mt. Carmel with a perfect 4-for-4 outing at the plate. The senior leadoff batter also stole four bases, the most in a final since the championships moved to the San Diego State Softball Complex.

"We wanted to jump on them early and to get to their pitcher early," said Doremus, who will play for Oregon State in 2010. "Once we scored, I knew we would keep scoring the rest of the game."

"I knew Steele Canyon had a good pitcher, so I knew I really had to focus. I was told she threw a lot of riseballs, but because we got so many hits early on, she didn't get a chance to throw it often."

GABRIELLE BEASLEY walked in the 2nd, but was erased by a double play on a grounder back to Williams. It was the first of two turned by the Sundevils, starting a stretch of 12 straight batters retired by Williams, who finished seven strikeouts and five walks.

Meanwhile, Cougars pitcher LORENA KLOPP struggled with a season-low seven walks while fighting through her year-long battle with a knee injury.

"We gave up too many walks and they hit them around," said Bohe. "They executed with the bunt and moved their runners around, while we couldn’t get anybody on."

According to coaches, Klopp, who won seven consecutive starts to propel Steele Canyon into the final, will undergo another surgery on her knee next week and could be out six months.

"We hadn't faced Bri yet and it took a while to get on her," said Cash, the Cougars catcher who will attend UC Riverside this fall. " Mt. Carmel is a really good team and they just out-beat us; the pressure got to all of us."

Cash believed her pitcher was ready despite pain in her troublesome knee.

"Lorena did very well even though she was really nervous," added Cash. "It was the first CIF final she ever pitched – SAMANTHA BEASLEY (now pitching for San Diego State ) pitched here two years ago, not Lorena – but she kept her head up the entire time and never gave up, even though her knee was bugging her a little bit."

Daigle capped her 4-year postseason career with 16 RBI in 12 contests, including eight this playoff season. Her double scored NICOLE RANDEL (walk) and pinchrunner ASHLEY BARANOV, who ran for Klopp (walk).

"That hit got our team really pumped – we really wanted to play," said Daigle, who is shockingly still searching for a college offer. "We have a young team, so this game will prepare them for the future – we gained a lot of experience for next year."

Despite the school's first setback in a championship, coach Bohe offered praise all around.

"We struggled at the plate today and did not play the best we can," she noted. "I'm still proud of them – they're only one of eight teams playing today. We had quite a season."

CIF DIVISION III FINAL — University City 12, Santana 2

University City pitcher Amanda Hansen (left) struck out eight batters in only five innings, spinning a 2-hitter at top-seeded Santana in the Centurions' run-rule triumph for the CIF Division III crown. (Photo and slideshow by Jeanne Royce)

Clement smacked Santana pitching by going 3-for-4 and five RBI, including a 2-run triple in the 1st and a 2-run single in the 2nd, when University City scored four times in each frame to bolt to a shocking 8-1 advantage.

"They just came out in the first inning and jumped us – the first four batters got two triples, a walk and a single – they hit everything hard and were ready to play," said Sultans coach MIKE BASS. "Then they came back with four more (in the 2nd inning) – they earned everything they got."

Designated player Stephanie Wood added four RBI, also belting a 2-run triple in the 2nd, as the top five batters in the University City batting order combined to go a remarkable 12-for-16 with 12 RBI in winning the school's second section crown (2003).

"UC did very well – their pitcher came with her best stuff and their first four hitters hit it pretty hard," said Santana starting pitcher JESSIE OWENS. "It's really sad, but I'm still proud of the entire team."

Santana never got off the deck facing Cents' pitcher Amanda Hansen, who yielded just a pair of basehits, one each to Owens and AMANDA GRABLE (run-scoring single in the 3rd).

"We are that good of a team with a lot of heart," said UC sophomore pitcher Amanda Hansen. "And Gabby's had a big bat for us all season."

For Santana, it was its third straight finals appearance for the defending champions, with each resulting in a blowout. In 2007, Steele Canyon won convincingly, 8-0, but the Sultans bounced back to erase Brawley, 11-1, last spring. They also won in 2004.

"We had a good warm-up and came out ready to play," noted senior co-captain AMANDA CARPENTER, who will play for Ball State next season. "But they executed all the plays they are supposed to make."

"I couldn't tell that any of us were nervous, so it's disappointing after all the hard work we've done up to this point to prepare for this game. It's hard to lose, but we had a great year."

CIF DIVISION IV FINAL — Francis Parker 6, Christian 3

Francis Parker senior Amye McIntyre (left), the CIF-San Diego Section career strikeout leader, added to her totals with six more K's, leading the Lancers to their 4th straight Division IV crown. (Photo and slideshow by Jeanne Royce)

The Patriots failed to win their league, finishing second in the Eastern League. They failed to win the Friar Classic after advancing to the championship round. And on Saturday (May 30), hopes for the school's 7th SDCIF crown were thwarted by the top-seeded Lancers, which claimed a record 4th consecutive title since the division was created in 1994.

Second, second, second – but don't be fooled, because this year's edition of the Patriots could rate among the school's best according to first-year head coach GEORGE GENTRY.

"There have been some great teams here at Christian, but this might be the best all-around team we've ever had," said Gentry. "There have been great pitchers, but this team is the best up-and-down the entire lineup."

During the playoffs, the combination of hitting, pitching and defense was the difference to twice bump-off pitching dominated Horizon, the second seeds. However, Parker proved to be just a bit deeper than Christian.

"Defense was the difference the last two times we played them," added Gentry. "And their coaches said we put the ball in play off McIntyre as well as any team has all season."

Christian out-hit the Lancers, 7-5, including a pair of basehits by ALLI GUNTER. But if the game was basketball, too many turnovers – in this case, base-on-balls – allowed Parker to score with the aid of just a single hit.

Gunter scored on a wild pitch in the 1st to tie the game at 1-all. But by the time Christian scored again, the Lancers added four more runs, with three of the runners reaching base on walks.

The Patriots other runs came in the 5th. After catcher ALLIE SCOTT and third baseman MARY GRABOWSKI reached on errors, both came around to score when No. 9 hitter AMANDA MARCOS busted a 2-run triple to right-center field.

"Amanda slammed the ball to the gap and just kept on running," Gentry added about his left-fielder.

Parker also received a pair of hits from their leadoff batter, center fielder Austin Sanders. Meanwhile, right fielder Suzanna Ahern broke the early deadlock with a 2-run single in the 2nd.

© East County Sports.com
POWAY (5-29-09) — For a trio of East County programs, it's as simple as 1-2-3.

Top-seeded Santana, second-seeded Steele Canyon, and No. 3 seed Christian all moved into position to capture SDCIF championships in their respective divisions, all advancing to Saturday's (May 30) final round at San Diego State.

Santana, which tops the Division III field, overcame one poor inning to waltz past Cathedral Catholic, 7-4. The defending champion Sultans will meet University City after the upstart Centurions blanked the Lady Dons, 3-0, in the challenger bracket finale.

Steele Canyon, the lone undefeated ballclub in the Division II tournament, will meet top-seeded Mt. Carmel after the Sundevils made their way through the challengers’ bracket. Both programs defeated West Hills in come-from-behind fashion on Thursday (May 28); the Cougars claimed an 8-3 decision, then Mt. Carmel took a 4-2 win.

Christian seeks its first crown since 2002 by gaining a re-match with 3-time defending titlist Francis Parker. The top-seeded Lancers downed the Patriots, 3-1, but Christian won the challenger bracket final when Horizon made a critical error on what should have been the final play of the game, eventually falling 5-2 in 8 innings.

In Division I, Rancho Bernardo will battle El Camino as each school seeks its second all-time title.

Klopp struck out 10 batters, yielding just one hit over the final 5 1/3 innings to run her postseason record to 3-0 in capturing her 7th straight decision.

"We were just really focused and determined to win this game – we were here to win and we dominated," explained Klopp. "We didn't let two runs get in our head and we came back."

"In our first game, I wasn't really all there – I had just started pitching again after being out for five months with my knee injury. But I was ready for this game – we are so pumped up right now."

Cougars pitcher Lorena Klopp limited West Hills to 3 hits. (Photo by Josh Winspear, Sportsplex USA of Poway)

Steele Canyon's rally featured four runs in the 4th inning to take a 5-2 lead, then JAZMIN DAIGLE opened the 7th with a solo homer, her second of the postseason.

"We were still trying to get our team together when we played them the first time, but we've improved a lot after playing a bunch of really good teams," noted Daigle. "I was looking for something phat after she was just called for an illegal pitch – it was nice."

All four West Hills errors led directly to runs, while another scored on an illegal pitch.

"We just wanted to get the ball as hard as we could on the ground and try to get them to make plays," said Daigle.

During the 4-run rally, the key at-bat was registered by centerfielder ELLE REID. With HANNAH ROST at third base and trailing 2-1, Reid fouled off five consecutive pitches before registering an RBI single over the head of the second baseman to tie the contest.

"After working hard, the team understood that we just have to give it our all," noted Reid, the team's sophomore centerfielder. "We just have to keep doing what we're doing, while Lorena holds the team together – she's amazing."

Later in the inning, an illegal pitch allowed Reid to score the go-ahead run, then a MICHELLE BEASLEY grounder to the right side allowed IRENE BLUMENSTOCK (basehit) to also cross the plate.

Daigle, Reid and Blumenstock recorded two hits each, as Steele Canyon received offensive production from all parts of the batting order.

"We came from behind and we didn't give up, that makes me so proud," noted Cougars coach JULIE BOHE. "We continued to work hard the entire game and didn't let down."

"This team is more solid top-to-bottom with a lot more depth, especially on our pitcher roster which will come in handy."

West Hills scored twice on wild pitches, with the lone RBI going to ALYSSA EVJEN on a double in the 2nd to mount an early 2-0 lead.

Mt. Carmel 4, West Hills 2 – A pair of singles sandwiched around a sacrifice bunt produced another quick lead for the Wolf Pack. But just two additional basehits the rest of the way would not be enough in the challenger bracker final, allowing the Sundevils to gain a berth against Steele Canyon in the championship.

"It's going to take us being at the top of our game," said Sundevils junior Kellie Fox. "And we're there right now and we're going to take it to them. It's going to be a great battle."

West Hills again started quickly with a 1st-inning run.

Leadoff batter FAITH KORIA reached on an infield single, then she moved around the diamond on a sacrifice by sister MICHERIE KORIA, a passed ball, then an RBI single by BRI AUSTIN.

"In the second game, we carried the first game with us – we kept it in our head and came in a little bit defeated," noted Austin. "If we had a few more innings, we could have got them, but we fell short of time."

Mt. Carmel bounced back when Fox, the shortstop doubled home a pair of runs in the 3rd, then she entered in relief to gain the save for starting pitcher Briana Williams by registering the final four outs.

Williams believes the initial loss to Westview won't hinder her ballclub.

"We got a little too comfortable when we lost to Westview – they wanted it more than we did – but we knew we had to pick it up," noted Williams. " Steele Canyon has proven they’re good, but I think we're pretty good, too."

Fox was summoned following a one-out walk to ALEX MILLER, then a two-out, ground-rule double by NOELLE JOHNSON in the 6th. Fox' first pitch went to the backstop for a run by Miller, then she was unhittable to close out the contest.

"You can't say we didn't try because we did – we came out hard," noted Miller. "We couldn't get the bats going – sometimes that happens."

Leading 2-1, Mt. Carmel received a break when a drive by Nina Villanueva kicked up chalk along the right-field line for an RBI triple in the 4th. Vanessa Currie made it 4-1 following her own ground-rule double, later scoring on an error.

Santana shortstop Michelle Thille. (Photo by Jeanne Royce)

The rally started after the first two batters made outs, then Santana saw five straight batters reach base, capped by a run-scoring basehit by MICHELLE THILLE, then a go-ahead, 2-run single by AMANDA CARPENTER.

KAILEE SILER pounded her first career homer in the 6th, pushing the advantage to 5-3.

"I haven't received much game time lately and I wanted to hit – so I hit it," said Siler. "I was able to relax and hit it deep over the left-fielder's head."

Siler originally noticed the Cathedral infield was playing back, so she asked the coaching staff if she should bunt.

"But coach (MIKE) BASS said to go ahead and swing away, and I hit a first-pitch home run."

Thille was twice hit in the head with the ball, but each time, the Sultans came out on top.

In the 7th, while standing at third base, a pickoff attempt hit her high and bounced into the left-field corner, allowing Thielle and Carpenter to both score insurance runs.

An inning earlier, the ball bounced off the shortstop and into the outfield. However, the ball went straight to Carpenter, as the Sultans centerfielder fired a shot to catcher CARLA CARRILLO to cut down a Cathedral baserunner at the plate.

"I guess she was a target, even though she's the shortest girl on our team," added Siler, a junior right fielder. "Michelle always seems to get hit."

The top third of the Santana batting order – Owens, Thille and Caprenter – combined to bat 5-for-7 with four runs and three RBI.

"We just really wanted it – we wanted to make it to Saturday," said AMANDA GRABLE, a sophomore third baseman. “We have high hopes and we have two pitchers who can pick us up."

Division IV
Francis Parker 3, Christian 1 – Lancers pitcher Amye McIntyre, the newly crowned career strikeout artist in the San Diego Section, only recorded six strikeouts against the Patriots.

Still, Christian was unable to hit the scoreboard until the 7th inning, as Francis Parker earned an opportunity to claim a fourth consecutive Division IV championship.

Run-scoring singles by Lauren Tomey, McIntyre and Kate Kidd allowed Parker to score three times in the 4th.

The lone Patriots run was scored by shortstop MONIQUE ELLIOTT. She reached on a bunt single, gained third on a bunt by AMANDA MARCOS, then JENNIE VEST pushed a ground ball to the right side for the run.

Christian 5, Horizon 2 (8 inn.) – All the Panthers needed was a catch on a routine popup for the game's final out. However, when infielders collided, ALLIE SCOTT scored the game-tying run, as the Patriots added three runs in the 8th to stun Horizon in a challenger bracket final held at Scripps Ranch High.

With two outs, Horizon avoided the power-hititng Scott with what seemed to be a seemingly benign base on balls. Scott moved to second on a passed ball, then MARY GRABOWSKI then lifted the ball to the infield just before disaster struck.

"Mistakes are as much a part of softball as anything else," said Christian coach GEORGE GENTRY. "Sure, it was at the worst possible time, but we'll take it."

In extra innings, KARA CARTWRIGHT belted a bases-loaded triple to left field for the biggest hit in her career.

The inning started with a lead double by MONIQUE ELLIOTT, AMANDA MARCOS was hit by a pitch, then ALLI GUNTER accepted a one-out walk to load the bases. Cartrwight then smacked the ball over the left-fielder's head to clear the bases.

Meanwhile, Gunter escaped jam after jam in defeating Horizon for the second time in three days following three setbacks to the Panthers during the regular season. Despite walking five batters (four intentionally, all to pitcher Cassidy Coleman) and hitting three more batters – that's 8 free baserunners for Horizon – the lone run-scoring hit was a 2-run double by Haley Shepard in the 4th.

Christian opened the scoring when Cartwright (walk, stolen base) scored on a basehit by Scott in the 1st. Scott, a junior catcher, went 2-for-3 in both of Thursday's (May 28) ballgames, raising her postseason batting average to a resounding .615 (8-for-13) with six RBI.

The postgame handshake from the CIF Division II winners bracket final between Steele Canyon and West Hills high schools. The Cougars gained a finals berth after an 8-3 win. (Photo by Josh Winspear, Sportsplex USA of Poway)

El Camino 11, Poway 5 – The Titans fell into consolation play, yet battled to finally catch El Camino at 4-4 in the 5th. However, the Wildcats answered with consecutive home runs to also gain a title game berth following elimination in the semifinals over the past two seasons.

One of the homers was by Olive Naotala, a 3-run shot and her second of the game, giving her seven RBI for the contest. Naotala was also the winning pitcher despite an injury to her rotator cuff.

© East County Sports.com
CLAIREMONT (5-27-09) — Here's what East County schools think about the San Diego CIF's recently implemented double-elimination format for postseason play in softball: Don't want it, and more importantly, don't need it.

Among the four remaining schools in the region, all four advanced to the winners’ bracket final after posting impressive victories Tuesday (May 26). The remaining programs have already been eliminated – no challenger bracket games needed.

Advancing to Thursday's (May 28) contests with a chance to advance directly to the finals are: West Hills and Steele Canyon, which will meet each other in Division I; reigning champion Santana in Division III; and Christian in Division IV following its upset of second-seeded Horizon.

Following three regular-season losses to Coleman's Panthers, Christian proved triumphant in a game which meant something by upsetting the second seeds in the Division IV postseason tournament.

"Our team has such a passion for the game – we really want to win this," said Patriots pitcher ALLI GUNTER. "We've been working so hard since the last time we saw them."

Defense proved to be the major difference, as a near-perfect performance by the Patriots allowed Gunter, who utilizes the same pitching coach as Coleman, to escape a bases-loaded, no outs, situation in the 7th inning.

Coleman, who smacked a game-tying home run to the opposite field in the 5th (and taking out the windshield on a vehicle in the Horizon parking lot), was intentionally walked. However, basehits by Gina Dowdy and Becca Dawson sandwiched the walk to load the bases, bringing the potential winning run to the plate.

However, Gunter struck out the next batter to give her six K's – Coleman registered 13 to raise her career total to 864 – then the Patriots defense came through with the play of the game.

Gunter coaxed the next batter to hit a ground ball. Pats second baseman NICOLE MARCOS scooped the ball, tossed it to shortstop MONIQUE ELLIOTT, who fired to first baseman KARA CARTWRIGHT for a double play to end the contest.

An alignment issue of the defense was slightly altered at the last moment, but it proved to be a major factor.

"The corners were in and Mo and I were halfway, then we went back a little before that last pitch," noted Marcos. "Mo and I always talk about turning a double play each game – and we got it."

"We have a lot of confidence in each other."

Christian raced to a 2-0 lead in the 1st behind a booming, 2-run double by catcher ALLIE SCOTT, who smashed the ball down the right-field line. However, Horizon got even on a bases-loaded walk to Dawson in the 3rd, then Coleman's window-masher in the 5th.

However, Christian immediately answered with three runs in the 6th, aided by a pair of errors and a passed ball for another run.

Elliott opened with an infield single on a ball to the hole at shortstop. Then the fireworks began.

AMANDA MARCOS followed with a sacrifice bunt, but when the throw to first sailed down the right-field line, both runners advanced to 2nd and 3rd. The right fielder couldn't find the ball which sat in the worst place possible – on the ground directly in front of her. After she found the ball, her hurried throw sailed wide of the cutoff player, giving both runners another base, as Elliott scored for a 3-2 lead.

Gunter capped a 3-for-4 outing with a bunt single, as Christian continued to test the Horizon infield defense. Next, Amanda Marcos came home moments later on a passed ball, then Gunter stole third base, scoring on an RBI ground ball by Cartwright.

"Our strategy was to put the ball into play and make the defense work," added Gunter. "Cassidy is an excellent pitcher, so we needed to make their defense make plays."

Christian advances to Thursday's winners bracket final, slated for Scripps Ranch High, against top-seeded Francis Parker. However, the pairing almost didn't occur as the Lancers were taken into extra innings before nipping Mater Dei Catholic in 9 innings.

The Pack, an annual postseason participant, will be seeking their first berth in a title game since falling to Mira Mesa in 2002. Every year since, the school has posted a 1-1 record in the playoffs until breaking through Tuesday (May 26).

Westview surged to a 3-2 lead on a 5th-inning double by Monique Portugal to bring home Kylie Ripley (walk).

However, Wolf Pack pitcher CHELSEA VELOVICH got the run right back, slugging a go-ahead, 2-run homer. The blast to the opposite field in right brought home STACIA HOLDMAN, who had singled to left-center.

Wolverines catcher Lauren Gellerman staked her ballclub to an early lead with a 2-run homer in the 3rd, but West Hills answered with single runs in the 3rd and 4th.

BRI AUSTIN thought she knocked in the first run with a double, but MICHERIE KORIA (hit-by-pitch, stolen base) was out at the plate. Instead, Austin scored when a two-out grounder by Holdman was booted.

An inning later, NOELLE JOHNSON led-off with a double to right, KAELI HUNYADY reached on a bunt single to place runners on the corners, then FAITH KORIA placed a perfect squeeze bunt to bring home Johnson with the game-tying run.

Velovich struck out three, then survived an astounding six illegal pitch calls by the base umpire – there were only six reported I.P. calls among Grossmont Conference schools during the entire regular season. Velovich also escaped a base-loaded jam in the 6th when catcher Micherie Koria picked a runner off third base for the final out.

Westview (19-14), which finished second in the Valley League, had lost twice to league titlist Mt. Carmel, 15-1, then 5-2 on the final day of the regular season. However, the Wolverines raced to upset playoff wins on the road at Grossmont and top-seeded Mt. Carmel to gain a berth in the semifinals.

The first two are obvious, especially after burying the Barons for 17 hits in Tuesday's (May 26) SDCIF Division II winners’ bracket semifinals.

The hardball segment is the current pitching form of junior LORENA KLOPP, who overpowered the Mesa League champions after spinning a 3-hitter to propel Steele Canyon into Thursday's showdown with West Hills for a guaranteed berth into Saturday's (May 30) championship ballgame.

Klopp struck out eight batters, then aided the offense by going 3-for-4 and scoring twice.

Meanwhile, senior third baseman JAZMIN DAIGLE continued her postseason hitting tear. Daigle went 4-for-4 with four RBI, three coming on a home run in the 4th inning to push the Cougars to an 8-1 cushion.

In 10 career postseason ballgames, Daigle now owns 14 RBI (six in both 2007 and 2009), plus scored the game-winning run in the team's lone playoff victory in 2008. She also batted .500 (4-for-8) in her freshman year.

Meanwhile, HANNAH ROTH batted 3-for-4 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored.

Steele Canyon (20-8), which reached the 20-win plateau for the fourth consecutive seasons (91-29-2, .754), jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the 2nd when Roth reached on an error, stole second base, then GABRIELLE BEASLEY and MICHELLE BEASLEY followed with consecutive run-scoring hits.

In meeting West Hills, the Cougars hope to avenge a 4-1 setback in Grossmont Conference Tournament play from Mar. 30.

The last time these teams met in the postseason, Santana also won by shutout and eventually took the 2004 championship.

Owens did not allow a hit in her four innings, then Fyson kept the streak going, carrying a no-hitter into the 7th inning before Clairemont finally broke through with one out.

Meanwhile, the Sultans registered 14 hits, including a 3-for-3 outing by AMANDA GRABLE, who posted a pair of 1st-inning RBI with a double to centerfield to bring home MICHELLE THILLE (double) and AMANDA CARPENTER (infield single).

The Sultans then added five more runs in the 3rd.

Owens ledoff with the first of her two doubles, scoring on a Thille triple to left against a drawn-in outfield. Carpenter collected an RBI with a basehit, with the rally capped by a liner off the bat of KAILEE SILER to bring home pinchrunners KRISTIE CRAIG and MOE LYBARGER.

For the Norsemen, both occurred during the double-elimination portion of this season's SDCIF playoffs. After suffering a whitewashing at the hands of Steele Canyon \, Valhalla saw its season end Tuesday (May 26) after falling to the host Lancers in a 12-inning marathon.

Valhalla catcher Naomi Tellez climbs the ladder to prevent this pitch from going to the backstop. (Photo by iCrew, Hilltop High School)

Trailing 1-0, the Norsemen took the lead in the 2nd thanks to a quartet of freshmen.

Catcher NAOMI TELLEZ led-off with a single, then courtesy runner REMI MOSEY circled the bases when first baseman KIANA BROWN singled to right field, but the ball was misplayed and rolled to the fence. NICOLE FOLEY followed with a sacrifice fly to score Brown.

In the 4th, Brown and Foley again teamed for another run. Brown, who had her best game of the season with the bat by going 3-for-5, again singled. Foley followed with a double. However, the Norsemen collected just two additional hits over the balance of the contest off Lancers pitcher Alysha Isaacson.

Valhalla, which losses just two seniors – ANGELA UY and HALEY HOLDER – from the program, completed the season with a 19-14-1 and a second-place finish in the Grossmont South League.

© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-24-09) — Displaying the form which allowed her to gain all-state berths the past two seasons, Steele Canyon High junior LORENA KLOPP simply dominated Grossmont South League rival Valhalla.

In her first postseason action of the season, Klopp tossed a no-hitter against the Norsemen, powering the Cougars to a 12-0 pasting in the first round of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs.

Klopp struck out six in Saturday's (May 23) 5-inning contest, missing a perfect game due only to a pair of walks.

"Lorena was really on today – she got into a rhythm and all of her pitches were working," said Cougars catcher KELLY CASH. "So I had a large variety of pitches to call – that's always good for a catcher."

In her first two seasons, Klopp earned berths on the all-state team among medium-size schools as a freshman, then a berth on the CalHiSports.com all-underclassmen second-team unit last season. However, an injury suffered during travel ball last summer slowed her progress this high school season, so the Cougars went to four teammates to carry the majority of the pitching load.

That all changed over the final three weeks of the regular season, when Klopp overcame a loss to Valhalla to post five straight victories and earn the school's fourth consecutive GSL crown.

" Valhalla gave us our only league loss earlier in the season," Cash recalled. "So we had to talk, stay loud and pump each other up."

Cash, who will attend UC Riverside in the fall and hopes to walk-on to the women's fastpitch team, also contributed to the victory. The senior drove in a pair of runs with a double when Steele Canyon took a 4-0 lead in the 1st. An inning later, her RBI single increased the margin to 6-0.

Meanwhile, HANNAH ROST, the former starting catcher, also posted a breakout game with the bat, going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a triple.

Rost was the catcher for SAM BEASLEY, who was one of the California state players of the year in 2007. But when Klopp took over the No. 1 pitching chores after Beasley left for San Diego State, Cash remained Klopp's catcher.

"Hannah was Sam's main catcher, then became our shortstop because I had always worked with Lorena," noted Cash. "But Hannah really pulled through for us – her intensity was there."

Rost drilled a trio of liners, all to right field in a 3-for-3 effort, with two runs and an RBI.

"I am finally getting my hitting back after being out for a while," said Rost, who signed to play for Midland College in Texas. "And our defense did well, too – it's great to play defense behind Lorena, because she doesn't crack under pressure."

"She had the focus and courage to do it."

Rost, who plans to major in human sciences in order to go to medical school, missed a large portion of the season when an opponent slid into her knee on a play at second base, resulting in a dislocation and a ligament tear.

Like Klopp, Rost is returning to top physical form in an attempt to again collect a SDCIF title. In the Division III championship game in 2007, Rost scored three times and stole a pair of bases in an 8-0 triumph.

Steele Canyon finished with 13 hits over the team's four at-bats. ELLE REID matched Klopp and Cash with two hits and an RBI.

Santana 10, Our Lady of Peace 0 (5 inn.) – Sultans senior JESSIE OWENS extended her East County record with career home run No. 23, while also tossing a 1-hit shutout, grounding the visiting Pilots in Saturday's (May 23) first round of the SDCIF Division III playoffs.

Owens clubbed a 3-run shot to left-center field in the 4th inning, but the top-seeded Sultans scored five times to extend their lead to 8-0. And when MICHELLE THILLE tripled home EMILY SCHISLER and Owens in the 5th, Santana completed its walk-off triumph.

"I'm finally seeing the ball better because I am more relaxed," Owens explained. "I've been stressed out by my shoulder injury, but some teammates told me to just calm down and I'm finally getting my swing back."

The homer, her third of the season, moved Owens into 13th place on the all-time California state list maintained by CalHiSports.com. She is three away from the San Diego Section mark with at least two (probably three) ballgames left in her standout career.

"(The records) boost my confidence, but I'm not going to change my swing because of them," noted Owens, who is bound for Point Loma Nazarene.

At the plate, Owens went 2-for-3, also hitting a double. In addition, she crossed the plate three times to also set the metro East County record by scoring for the 130th time in her career. Her double started a 3-run rally in the 3rd to open the scoring.

Thille finished batting 3-for-3 plus a walk, while AMANDA CARPENTER registered a pair of RBI with a double in the 3rd to make it 3-0.

"Toward the end of the game, you could see the entire team starting to hit the ball better," added Owens, who struck out nine in her five innings.

A year ago, Santana captured the section crown by outscoring Mount Miguel, Madison and Brawley by a combined count of 45-2 – the best in section history.

Christian 8, Coronado 0 – Patriots pitcher ALLI GUNTER tossed a 5-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts, and batted 3-for-3 at the plate, to single-handedly sink the visiting Islanders in Saturday's (May 23) first round of the SDCIF Division IV playoffs.

Catcher ALLIE SCOTT batted 3-for-4 and drove in three runs. Included was a 2-run single to stake Christian to a quick 2-0 lead, then she added an RBI double in the 6th.

NICOLE MARCOS knocked in a pair of runs, while MONIQUE ELLIOTT and RICKI GENTRY each posted two base hits among the team's 13-hit attack. Gentry also scored three times.

Higher seeded teams, including West Hills, Valhalla and Grossmont, all trailed in the early going. Some would rally, but some would not, getting eliminated prior to the beginning of the double-elimination phase of the playoffs, which is being introduced for the first time this season.

However, two of five Eagles errors allowed an unearned run to score in the 4th inning, the lone marker in Friday's (May 22) first-round contest held in Carlsbad.

The run was scored by senior shortstop Nikki Chu, who reached on a ball which was misplayed. Chu was sacrificed to second, then moved to third on another error.

The only other Mavericks hit was a single by Chu.

Last season, Lahitte, who was selected to the All-California state second team by CalHiSports.com, also tossed a 2-hitter at LCC in last season's SDCIF title game, a 7-1 pasting.

A change in the Norsemen lineup may have foiled Point Loma's scouting report.

"On a hunch, I flipped our No. 4 and 5 batters, moving CORA CORDOVA to cleanup," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "For some reason, they didn't want anything to do with Cora, walking her three times."

Hartung asked his players if they knew something from travel ball, but no one seemed to know any of the Point Loma ballplayers or why they wouldn't pitch to Cordova.

That was fine with Orange Nation.

After Cordova was walked after an earlier walk to Rook, regular cleanup NAOMI TELLEZ, who was now batting fifth, drilled a 1-1 pitch for a game-tying single to center.

CANDICE STAMPER followed with an infield single, as the Pointers second baseman knocked down the grounder up the middle, but failed in her attempt to salvage the play and go to second base. Tellez was safe and Stamper had her RBI when Kasden scored.

Rook then retired Point Loma in order in the 7th for the victory. She finished with seven strikeouts, and slugged a double.

Point Loma scored in the 5th when junior catcher Kelsey McGowan singled to right-center on an 0-2 pitch to bring home shortstop Katie McEachern. The hits were the only ones allowed by Rook all contest.

Valhalla advances to the second phase of the postseason, traveling to Grossmont South League rival Steele Canyon in the first game in double-elimination. The contest is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday (May 23).

"We knew going into the game this would be a tough one – Mount Miguel would not be a typical 12th seed," said West Hills coach MEAGAN HARTUNG. "They got their big hit, but we got ours."

Trailing 1-0, the Matadors' NICOLE CUNNINGHAM slugged her second home run of the season, a two-run shot to grab a 2-1 lead in the 4th.

However, West Hills answered immediately to tie when KAELI HUNDYADY singled, but when the ball was bobbled in the outfield, NOELLE JOHNSON (single, stolen base) came home from second base.

The 6th inning saw a similar beginning, as FAITH KORIA drilled a basehit then stole second base. But instead of a basehit, Austin found the corner in right field. By the time Mount Miguel could retrieve the ball, the speedy Austin circled the bases.

Wolf Pack pitcher CHELSEA VELOVICH capped the contest with a pair of strikeouts, part of game total of 11, to complete her 3-hitter and gain the victory. Velovich also knocked in the game's first run on a ground out to the right side following basehits by ALEX MILLER and STACIA HOLDMAN.

The Wolf Pack, the fourth seed, advances to Saturday's (May 23) start of the double-elimination segment of the playoffs with a 10 a.m. Saturday contest at Scripps Ranch. The Eastern League champion Falcons are seeded fourth, despite a 2-1 late-season setback to West Hills.

With two outs in the 6th inning, third baseman Julie Pena hit the ball off Grossmont pitcher RACHEL STALFORD, who eventually recovered the ball but the throw to first was a touch late. Coming home was senior Lauren Gellerman, who stroked a leadoff double, then moved to third on a ground out.

Meanwhile, Westview pitchers Lindsay Buck and Rachael Hachadorian combined on a 7-hit shutout with one basic strategy.

"Whenever they got a strike on one of our batters, they would always throw a changeup," said Hillers coach JERRY LERUD. "We just couldn't wait on the pitch well enough to do anything with it."

Especially in the first two innings.

Grossmont placed its first three batters – KAITLIN NICKS (walk), MADI HILL (single) and KELSEY ALVAREZ (walk) – on base in the 1st, but failed to score. The Hillers, then placed two more runners on base but failed to score in the 2nd. For the contest, 10 runners were stranded.

And two of the remaining Monte Vista veterans – senior catcher JESIKA PEREA and junior shortstop BRITTANY WRIGHT – led the way.

In the 1st inning, Wright singled to left to advance AMANDA AGUON (walk) to third, then she stole second base. Perea followed with a fly ball to right field which was dropped to grab the early lead.

The tandem also produced a 5th-inning run when Wright slammed a ground-rule triple – the ball was tipped by the left-fielder and rolled out of play – with Perea lining another basehit to left for the RBI.

In between, however, the deserters forced too many changes on defense, which took an inning to sort out. But before the corrections could be implemented, four errors during Brawley's first trip to the plate resulted in six unearned runs.

The first two Wildcats reached on errors, both scoring on a double by sophomore shortstop Megan Salcido, who later opened the 2nd with a solo homer to cap a 3-RBI outing.

Monte Vista still finished the season with two more victories than in 2007, escaping the cellar with a fourth-place finish in its final season in the Grossmont South League.

The Monarchs and Mount Miguel will switch to the North and join the renamed Grossmont Hills League. The South will become known as the Grossmont Valley League.

Outfielder JENNIE VEST posted a career outing by driving in five runs, including a pair with a 1st-inning double, when Christian raced to the lead with seven quick runs. The triumph also gave the Patriots their second 20-win since being transferred into the Eastern League for the 2002 campaign.

Vest later added a 2-run single in the 2nd, then added a sacrifice fly in the 4th.

"Now that it's CIF, we're really pushing for it," said Vest, a sophomore. "We put the ball into play to produce runs.”

Meanwhile, third baseman MARY GRABOWSKI was perfect at the plate. The freshman batted 2-for-2, plus a pair of sac flies to finish with three RBI. One of the sacrifice flies was unique.

In the 3rd, with RICKI GENTRY standing at third base, Grabowski let the pitch hit her bat to lift a fly ball to deep right field. But the time the throw – a slow rainbow variety toss – returned to the infield, Gentry took two bases to score.

Gentry also pitched the final two innings to receive credit for her fourth save of the season, matching Santana's JESSIE OWENS – a former Christian High ballplayer in 2006-07 – for the East County lead.

For Christian, second baseman NICOLE MARCOS went 3-for-3 with a walk and a pair of RBI, while starting pitcher ALI GUNTER was 3-for-4 and scored twice.

The Redhawks registered three hits, including a pair in the 4th to avoid the shutout. But the hit resulted in an extremely rare two-assists play for Patriots catcher ALLIE SCOTT.

With two runners in scoring position, Katie Secord singled to center to bring home Mari Majam. When the throw came home, Second attempted to take second base, but Scott threw her out.

On the throw, the remaining Redhawks baserunner attempt to sneak home, so Marcos fired to Scott to force the quick rundown. Scott tossed to Grabowski who applied the inning-ending tag for a "two-out" play – technically, it's not a "double play" – with Scott gaining a pair of assists.

Christian (20-10) advances to the double-elimination portion of the Division IV tournament, hosting the winner of Friday's Holtville-Coronado game at 2 p.m. Saturday (May 23). A victory will mean probable meetings with the top seeds – No. 1 Francis Parker and No. 2 Horizon – early next week.

"Even though we beat a team like Mountain Empire really well, we’re going to be able to beat Cassidy (Coleman of Horizon) and Amye (McIntyre of Parker), too – we're going to want it really bad," said Vest.

"Hopefully, we won't have many strikeouts against either of them."

© East County Sports.com
CARLSBAD (5-22-09) — The folks at the San Diego CIF offices in Linda Vista may have been fooled, which might have cost Granite Hills an opportunity for a home game in Friday's (May 22) opening round of the SDCIF girls fastpitch championships.

In a rematch of last season's Division I title game, the Eagles will be forced to travel to meet La Costa Canyon in a first-round contest between the 8th and 9th seeds. But should the rankings have been swapped?

According to information released by the SDCIF, the Mavericks turned in a record of 15-12 during the regular season. However, team records posted by both the San Diego Union-Tribune and The North County Times indicate several additional losses for the Mavs, including a forfeit to West Hills.

In other words, would additional losses – not reported by La Costa Canyon – propel the Eagles to the higher seed and the home berth?

Since the seeds in all four divisions were released Thursday (May 21) night, with first-round games in the new double-elimination Dronenberg playoff formula to be played less than 24 hours later, it would be too late to change anything.

It's not the first time the schools have been involved in playoff mishaps.

The Mavericks were forced to forfeit a 2005 first-round playoff victory to Granite Hills after being repeatedly warned not to take (then illegal) pregame batting practice.

Then after last season's playoff run by the Eagles to the school's first-ever section championship in the 49-year history of Granite Hills – a 7-1 thrashing of LCC in the title game – the traditional single-elimination playoff slate was suddenly scrapped by a revolt of mainly North County coaches after top-seeded and undefeated Escondido received an early exit at the hands of Helix.

This year's new playoff structure includes a single game on Friday, with winners then advancing to the double-elimination phase of the postseason tournament.

The Granite Hills-La Costa Canyon winner is scheduled to tangle with No. 1 seed Rancho Bernardo on Saturday.

Among the remaining East County programs, defending Division III titlist Santana is again the top seed after claiming a second consecutive – and the final – Grossmont North League crown.

The majority of Grossmont Conference ballclubs compete in Division II, where five schools will participate, including a surprising 12th (and final) seed for Mount Miguel. The Matadors will meet West Hills, which was seeded a disappointing 5th after making a strong run to receive a first-round bye after a late-season victory over Scripps Ranch, which was placed 4th.

Meanwhile, Valhalla needs to get by Point Loma at Leto Field to gain a berth against 2nd-seeded Steele Canyon in a battle of Grossmont South League foes. The remaining contest features Grossmont playing at home against Westview, with the winner to meet top-seeded Mt. Carmel.

Joining Santana in D-3 competition is Monte Vista, which will need to travel to the Imperial Valley to meet Brawley at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

In Division IV, which fields a 16team pool instead of 12 like the other divisions, plays at home Friday. The Patriots, seeded third, will meet back country rival Mountain Empire.

Christian was placed behind No. 1 Francis Parker and No. 2 Horizon, which both feature pitchers – the Lancers' Ayme McIntyre and the Panthers' Cassidy Coleman – who are both climbing the SDCIF career strikeout list.

All play-in games on Friday (May 22) will be at 3:30 p.m. at home site of higher seed.