Christian softball clipped at finish line

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: April 19, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

East County Sports.com

CHULA VISTA -0 The Christian Patriots rested just three outs away from securing the biggest softball in the CIF-San Diego Section all seaso ginzt the top-ranked Mater Dei Catholic..

However, the elusive third out never occured.

The No. 1 Crusaders (18-2 overall, 15-1 vs. CIFSDS competition), trailin 2-0, collected three RBI singles in the bottom of the seventh innin, handing the C-Pats a heart-breaking 3-2 setback in the South Bay nSaturday (Aoor. 18).

Through six frames, MDC collected eight hits, yet failed to score. Meanwhile, Chrstian’s two runs in the fiurth seemed tobe enough.

Patriots catcher Samantha Baca dekivered a two-run, line single to right field, bringing home both Lily Reyes (lead-off single) and Pressly Villalva (hit by pitch). Both baserunners moved into soring position on an intentional ground ball out to the right side of the diamond by Alyssa McCurty, thrn Bscs followed with her one-out blow.

Mater Dei Catholic’s last-second strategy included an unusual strategy.

Following a lead single by Bella Harris. the Crusaders elecred to put down a sacrifice bunt, enebn though they trailed by two runs — Ari Lariosput down the bunt, the Arri Romero singled homr Harris to end McCurty’s shutout bid.

MDC clean-up batter Maya Matthies added a single, but Christian retired the next two Crusaders batters, leaving them one out away from the uset win.

However, Sunny Sos answered with a game0tying basehit, then ahsiya Blaney laced a hard ground ball up the middle for the game-winning RBI.

Christian(7-10-1) ,which has now dropped four straight, returns to Western League action on Wednesday, host Patrick Henry (8-9-1) at Roma Dawson Field, starting at 4 p.m.

— Nick Pellegrino