DII: Valhalla, Christian ousted in play-in games
- Updated: May 16, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL
By Adam Paul
EastCountySports.com
SAN DIEGO CIF PLAYOFFS DIVISION II PLAY-IN GAMES
#9 UNIVERSITY CITY 12, #8 VALHALLA 2
The Centurions exploded nine runs over the middle three innings and never looked back as they pulled away from the Norsemen.
University City got on the board first with a couple run in the top of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. However, Valhalla was able to scratch a run back in the bottom of the inning on a roped double by Kennedy Labshere that scored Jade Hill to make it 2-1.
However, in the top of the third Natalie Minteer gave the Centurions a 3-1 lead on a crushed solo homer over the right-field fence.
They would add more in the top of the fourth inning on a double by Alexi Wyckoff to make it 5-1, Audrey Continelli followed with another double which scored Wyckoff, and Jayla Briggs singled which brought in Continelli to make it 7-1.
Wyckoff blasted a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to extend the lead 11-1.
Valhalla added a run in the bottom of the fifth on a double by Victoria Villegas to bring home Baily Munch which made it 11-2.
The Centurions took advantage of a Valhalla miscue which brought in their final run of the game.
Lexi Schmehr doubled in the game for the Norsemen.
Taking the loss for Valhalla was Delaney Stettler who tossed 5.2 innings giving up 12 runs on 14 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3.
#10 IMPERIAL 5, #7 CHRISTIAN 3
The Tigers behind multiple base hits scored three runs late to procure their road victory.
Imperial would get on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead.
However, the Patriots didn’t hesitate to respond in the bottom of the first as Silent Rain Espinoza (2-2, R, RBI, HR) jacked a leadoff solo homer to tie the game 1-1.
With the score tied in the top of the third inning, the Tigers scored a run on a two-out single to take a 2-1 lead.
Imperial would hold a one-run lead until the bottom of the fifth when Lauren Sherburne (RUN) led off by reaching on an error, Espinoza followed with a double and Shannon McMahon (1-3, R, RBI) knocked in Sherburne to tie the game at 2-2.
Moving to the top of the sixth with the game still tied 2-2 the Tigers behind four hits including a double broke the tie as they pushed across three runs to lead 5-2.
Down to their finals outs in the bottom of the seventh the Patriots got a lead single by McMahon, a couple batters with one out Devyn Krystek (1-2) laced a single and Elle Lindblad (RBI) grounded out allowing McMahon to come home to bring the score to 5-3. Unfortunately, that would be all the Patriots would get as the next batter was retired to end the game.
