CIF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sat., May 29 Finals, At UC San Diego DIVISION IV: Mater Dei Catholic 6, Christian 5 DIVISION III: University City 1, Santana 0 DIVISION II: Mt. Carmel 4, West Hills 2 DIVISION I: El Camino 1, Torrey Pines 0 (8 inn.)

© East County Sports.com
LA JOLLA (5-30-10) — For the second straight season, East County placed three schools into one of four SDCIF championships games in fastpitch softball.

And for the second straight season, each came away empty without a championship in Saturday's ballgames held at UCSD.

West Hills' best season ended by dynasty

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LA JOLLA (5-30-10) — A terrific season – among the best in school history – ran head into a dynasty this week for West Hills. Call it tough luck as the Wolf Pack matched their season loss total to the same team in the final three games of the season.

Mt. Carmel scored three runs on one hit and three Wolf Pack errors in the fourth inning to claim a 4-2 win over West Hills in the CIF-San Diego Section Division II championship Saturday (May 29) at UC San Diego.

It was the Sundevils’ fourth straight title after having never won one in their first 33 years in Rancho Penasquitos. Mt. Carmel had advanced to the championship with a 1-0 eight-inning win over West Hills on Thursday.

“It was a great season,” said MIKE APPLEBAUM, in his first season as West Hills’ head coach after two previous seasons as an assistant. “We won more games than any team in the history of the school. We were ranked No. 1 or No. 2 all season. It’s the first time we’ve been back to the finals since 2002. We won two major tournaments (the Falcon Fiesta and the Grossmont Conference tournaments).

“It was an amazing group of girls. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Amazing was also the word of choice for Mt. Carmel shortstop Kellie Fox, who along with second baseman Ashly Romano and center fielder Alix Johnson earned a record four SDCIF titles.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Fox, who was 3-for-4 and flawless in the field. “I never thought it was going to happen, but it did. It was kind of cool winning as a freshman, and repeating that four times is an amazing honor.”

Mt. Carmel’s decisive “rally” came in the fourth as Nikki Barba reached on a fielding error and Bree Williams walked. They were moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Sona Babayan. With two outs, Alyssa Abrenica singled to right to score Barba, and a throwing error allowed Williams to score. Another groundball error permitted Abrenica to plate, and it was 4-1 Mt. Carmel.

“It comes down to we had an error or two more than they did, and it cost us,” Applebaum said. “We had our chances and didn’t get our hits.”

The KORIA twins, MICHERIE and FAITH, collected the only hits for the Wolf Pack off Mt. Carmel ace Williams (29-3).

Faith Koria, a senior second baseman starter for four years, walked to lead off the bottom of the first for the Wolf Pack. She was sacrificed to second on a bunt by KAELI HUNYADY. Micherie Koria, a senior catcher who bats third in the lineup, beat out a bunt single in the first inning, and Faith Koria scored when the ball got away from the Mt. Carmel first baseman.

ALEX MILLER put down a sacrifice bunt that appeared to have advanced Micherie Koria to second but Koria was called out for leaving first base too early.

Mt. Carmel had opened the scoring in the first as Johnson beat out a bunt single and later scored on a two-out lined single over the shortstop’s head by Nina Villanueva.

The Wolf Pack closed to 4-2 with a run in the fifth inning. JENNA BASNIGHT walked, went to second on a wild pitch and to third on a sacrifice bunt by NOELLE JOHNSON. After a strikeout, ALYSSA EVJEN bounced a ball near the first base bag that got through for an error and Basnight came around to score.

West Hills had another opportunity in the sixth inning as Faith Koria beat out an infield single, stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hunyady. Micherie Koria was hit by a pitch and promptly stole second to set up a second-and-third situation with one out.

Alex Miller hit a sharp grounder to short, but Fox snared it and threw home to get Faith Koria in a rundown out. BRI AUSTIN, another four-year player for the Wolf Pack, struck out to end the threat.

West Hills went quietly in the seventh with two groundouts and a strikeout to end the game.

Johnson, West Hills’ ace who finished 20-4 after losing two games in three days to Mt. Carmel, deserved a better fate. She yielded seven hits but only one earned run and retired eight of the last 10 batters she faced.

“That one inning was it,” Micherie Koria said. “I don’t know what happened. It was frustrating seeing it happen in front of me.”

Said Applebaum, “I won’t take anything away from Mt. Carmel. They’re a tremendous team. They’re a great coached team as well. But I wouldn’t trade any of my players or pitchers for theirs.

“Since our freshman year, we finally got to make it to the championship. We’re happy about that, who finished the season with an East County record 41 stolen bases.

“It’s a game. We lost. Get over it.”

DIVISION III
UNIVERSITY CITY 1, SANTANA 0

Sultans fall on walk-off walk

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LA JOLLA (5-30-10) — There are numerous softball games won every season with a walk-off walk. Happens all the time.

No one questioned after the CIF-San Diego Section Division III championship game, however, could ever recall seeing a game end with three successive base on balls. Happened Saturday afternoon (May 29).

Delighted University City!

“I’ve never seen that happen,” was repeated by at least a dozen players and coaches from both sides.

In a rematch of last year’s Division III title game, University City successfully defended its crown when Stephanie Wood walked on a 3-and-1 pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th inning to give the Centurions an unlikely 1-0 victory over top-seeded Santana at UC San Diego.

Wood gladly took the third straight walk with two outs after Jillian Drogin had singled to begin the winning rally.

“Had the take sign every pitch,” said Wood, a senior left fielder referring to orders from UC coach Mike Roberts not to swing under any circumstance.

Drogin had moved to second on a fielder’s choice grounder to second baseman Taylor Barry for the second out. With first base open, Santana coach MIKE BASS then decided to essentially walk 2009 Player of the Year Alexis Curtiss on purpose – an unintentional intentional walk, if you will.

He didn’t expect his ace, AMBER SCHISLER, to hurl eight of her next nine pitches out of the strike zone, though many in attendance thought her strike zone was being squeezed by the home plate umpire. Not so much against Gabby Clement, who walked on four pitches, but probably all five pitches to Wood could have gone for strikes or balls.

“They were all close,” Wood admitted with a sly grin on her face.

Schisler, to her credit, would not blame anyone but herself.

“In the seventh inning, it always gets that way,” said Schisler (16-5). “You just have to compete."

“I just think we came out to play hard, and we did, and that’s not the way to go out. It’s just disappointing.”

Santana was playing in its fourth straight title game under Bass with one crown coming in 2008.

“Two good teams playing great,” Bass said. “Great pitchers for both sides. I’m proud of my girls. They’re a young team, and they’ll be back.

“Give a lot of credit to Uni City. They’re very tough. Hate to see a game decided on three walks like that… let the girls decide it.”

No. 2-seed University City (20-7) had edged No. 1 Santana (24-9-1) 2-1 on Thursday to advance to the title game. Santana had to play a second game Thursday, beating Cathedral Catholic 6-2.

Against Uni City Saturday, the Sultans did not get a runner on base until junior right fielder EMILY SCHISLER was hit by a pitch in the third inning by right-hander Amanda Hansen, the 2009 Division III Pitcher of the Year. The Sultans did not collect their first hit until KAYTI GRABLE doubled with two out in the fifth inning.

Schisler led off the sixth with a single and advanced to second on a groundout, but she was the last Sultan to reach base as Hansen retired the final nine batters she faced, including three of her six strikeouts.

“I had a good drop ball and curveball working today,” Hansen said. “I was getting most of the outs with the drop ball.”

Kayti Grable led off the top of the seventh with a hard smash up the middle, but UC shortstop Myshayla Fryer made a diving stop to her left and threw out Grable from her knees.

Grable had powered the Sultans with a Grossmont Conference-record 12 home runs, in this, her freshman season. That’s the sixth-highest total in section history.

“I thought our team pushed really hard and never gave up,” Grable said. “We both deserved it. It was a hard fought game.”

Uni City’s Meghan Shaw led off the bottom of the seventh inning with an infield single, but she was picked off on a failed bunt attempt by Drogin before Drogin ignited the winning rally with a sharp single to right.

“Watch out for this club,” Bass said. “We have seven 14-year-old freshmen and a couple of really good sophomores. Our time is coming.”

DIVISION IV
MATER DEI CATHOLIC 6, CHRISTIAN 5

Tamayo homers twice to upset
top-seeded Patriots in finale

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LA JOLLA (5-30-10) — Despite the heartache of those two home runs that led to their third loss in a championship game in the past four years, seniors ALLI GUNTER, ALLIE SCOTT and RICKI GENTRY joined their nine teammates and four coaches of the Christian High softball team to pose for a postgame team photo. And genuine smiles swept every suntanned face, even as disappointed as they felt inside.

“They know there’s going to be a loser every game,” Christian coach GEORGE GENTRY said. “You can’t win every day. I don’t care how good you are.”

The Patriots just weren’t lucky enough to overcome two home runs by Mater Dei senior shortstop Wendy Tamayo in a 6-5 loss to the No. 3-seeded Crusaders (21-11) Saturday (May 29) morning at UC San Diego.

“The girls played good,” Coach Gentry said. “We just gave up a couple of big hits, and offensively we didn’t get the big hits when we needed it.”

Christian’s trio of four-year senior starters performed well in their final high school game, but there was obvious disappointment in receiving their third runner-up CIF patch.

“They were just the better team today,” said Ricki Gentry, the hero of Thursday’s 5-4 win over Mater Dei in the winner’s bracket final when she hit a two-out, two-strike, two-run home run to put Christian in the title game for the third time in four years.

“We definitely gave it our all today. Both teams really wanted it.”

Gentry was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI double. Scott walked three times before being robbed of an RBI hit to left field in the sixth inning by the hustling ubiquitous Tamayo. Gunter (17-6) pitched brilliantly in the first, second, fifth and sixth innings but was touched for 11 hits overall, including the blasts by Tamayo.

Tamayo said the first home run came on a fastball and the second one on a change up. The game was tied 5-5 when Tamayo stepped to the plate with one away in the top of the seventh inning. Her blast easily cleared the left-field fence but there was suspense as to whether it would remain fair.

“I knew it had plenty of distance, but I didn’t know if it would stay fair,” Tamayo said. “When I looked up I actually missed first base and had to go back to touch it.”

These were her fifth and sixth home runs of the season, and the first time she had ever hit two in one game. She finished 2-for-4 with three RBI.

“I came out as hard as I could,” Gunter said. “I felt there were some pitches I shouldn’t have thrown, but that’s how it goes sometimes. She’s a great hitter. We tried our best.”

Coach Gentry said he toyed with the idea of pulling Gunter in the seventh but decided, “She’s been the go-to girl all season. It’s her game. I’m not upset I made that decision.”

Christian struck first in the bottom of the first as junior leadoff MONIQUE ELLIOTT beat out an infield single and scored from first on a slicing double to left by Ricki Gentry. After a walk to Scott and MARY GRABOWSKI being hit by a pitch, KATHERINE DAY blooped a bases-loaded single to center that scored Gentry for a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Elliott drew a one-one walk, took second on a passed ball, was sacrificed to third on a bunt by JEANNIE VEST and slid home safely on a wild pitch by Mater Dei sophomore Maritza Lopez-Portillo.

After cruising through the first two innings and nestling a 3-0 lead, Christian’s left-handed ace Gunter ran into trouble in the third and fourth innings. Michelle Centrullo and Lopez-Portillo led off the third with back-to-back singles, and Centrullo scored on a positioning error by shortstop Elliott, who could not get to third in time on an attempted bunt-and-run play by the Crusaders.

It mattered little after the next batter, Tamayo, boomed a two-run homer to dead center field to tie the game 3-3. Mater Dei went up 5-3 in the fourth as Veronica Vargas scored from first on a double to left-center by Lopez-Portillo, and Vargas scored from second on a two-out error by first baseman Gentry.

Gentry made up for her error by singling sharply to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Scott then walked and Grabowski singled to left to load the bases with none out.

With KATHERINE DAY batting, Gentry tried to score on an apparent wild pitch, but Crusaders catcher Kim Tamayo swiftly recovered the carom off the backstop and was able to tag out the sliding Gentry by an eyelash.

Day came through though, bouncing a single under the glove of third baseman Taylor Cruse to score courtesy runner MELANIE STARK from third. With one out, Coach Gentry decided to pinch hit dangerous bunter STEPHANIE NASH for right fielder MIRANDA CAZARES.

The decision proved brilliant as Nash pushed a perfect bunt toward first base to easily score Grabowski and knot things at 5-5.

“Once we took the lead at 3-0, I thought we had it for sure,” Coach Gentry said. “Then when we rallied to tie it 5-5, I thought we had it again. Our hats off to them and their shortstop. She beat us with two big shots.”

Lopez-Portillo, a sophomore right-hander, allowed eight hits and struck out three to avenge her heartbreaking loss to the Patriots on Thursday. She also went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Catcher Kim Tamayo, Wendy’s sister, was 2-for-4 and had the brilliant play to tag Gentry out in the fifth inning.

For Mater Dei coach Mike Centrullo, he said it was the first time in his 11 years as a head coach to beat Christian – ever!

It was Mater Dei’s first SDCIF title in softball. Marian’s last title came in 1987.

© East County Sports.com
POWAY (5-28-10) — Two outs. Two strikes. And your team is about to lose – talk about pressure if you're the batter.

"I took a breath and tried to relax as much as I could," said senior RICKI GENTRY moments before her Christian Patriots were about to fall in the Division IV winners bracket final of the SDCIF fastpitch championships. "But I knew she (the Mater Dei pitcher) was going to pitch me outside – the whole game she pitched us that way."

Sure enough, the 3-2 pitch was outside, so the left-handed hitting Gentry went with the delivery and took it to left field.

Make that deep left field.

The ball carried over the barrier for a 2-run homer to cap a 3-run rally in the 7th inning, giving the top-seeded Patriots a stunning 5-4 decision over the third-seeded Crusaders on Thursday (May 27), gaining a berth in Saturday's (May 29) Division IV championship game. The finale will be the first of four title contests at UC San Diego, starting at 10 a.m.

Mater Dei (20-11) battled back through the challengers’ bracket to gain a rematch after sailing past Palo Verde Valley, 10-5.

For Gentry, the home run was her 7th of the season, ranking in a tie for second place in the East County with AUBRIE MAY of Grossmont. But there was added significance.

"It's the most meaningful hit of my career," said Gentry, who will play for NCAA Division II Western New Mexico next season. "The team was down a little bit after we lost the lead, but we realized there was a lot of game left."

"We kept our composure very well for a CIF game."

Both teams got on the scoreboard in the 4th inning.

Christian parlayed half of the team's six hits to secure a 2-0 lead.

JEANNIE VEST opened with a base hit, then Gentry, who went 2-for-3, put down a successful sacrifice bunt.

"That bunt was just as important as her home run," said Patriots coach GEORGE GENTRY, Ricki's father, who goes out of his way not to talk up his daughter's exploits. "It helped get us a run, and in the playoffs, every run is important."

With an open base, Mater Dei walked ALLIE SCOTT, but MARY GRABOWSKI answered with a run-scoring single to drive in Vest. And after freshman ANAYA TOBIASON walked, CATHERINE DAY, another frosh, sent a basehit to right field to allow Scott to make it 2-0.

However, Mater Dei answered with a 4-run rally – the only inning the Crusaders would score.

Patriots pitcher ALLI GUNTER then capped the ballgame with 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing just one additional hit. Gunter finished with eight strikeouts against four hits.

Christian's final set of at-bats featured an RBI single by MONIQUE ELLIOTT to trim the deficit to 4-3. She moved to second base, but another Patriots baserunner was thrown out at third base, leaving the team just one out away from its first postseason setback until Gentry's clutch bomb.

Santana's path included a 2-1 loss to defending D-3 champion University City, then easily took out Cathedral Catholic, 6-2.

In the second game, freshman KAYTI GRABLE slugged her Grossmont Conference record 12th home run of the season. Her 2-run shot in the 6th doubled the Sultans lead from 4-2 to 6-2.

Also scoring on the play was AMANDA GRABLE, who just belted her second double of the contest. Both Grable sisters batted 2-for-4 off the Lady Dons.

Santana took the early lead on RBI singles by Kayti Grable in the 1st, then MICHELLE THILLE (2-for-3, 2 runs scored) in the 2nd.

Cathedral got even on a 2-run single by Natalie Orosco in the 4th, but Santana tallied two of its own in the bottom of the 4th to regain the lead for keeps.

ARIEL RASMUSSON reached on a bunt single to start the inning, moving to second on an error. Thille then singled and stole second base, with both runners scoring on Amanda Grable's first double, a drive to the gap in left-center field.

Meanwhile, in the challenger bracket, Steele Canyon out-slugged Valhalla, 8-6. The Cougars then advanced to meet West Hills for the second berth to the championship contest, but the Wolf Pack gained the nod with a 16-2 pasting in five innings.

In Division I play, Rancho Bernardo blanked Granite Hills, 3-0, in an elimination game. However, the Broncos then fell to Torrey Pines in the challenger final, giving the Falcons a finals rematch with El Camino.

It's time for Granite Hills to get dirty; hitting the ground with big slides for the Eagles include: Morgan Kurtz (top), Tarin Marks (middle) and Nicole Obney in a 9-1 pasting of Bonita Vista. (Photos by Suzy Lahitte)

CIF Championships, Third Round Granite Hills Eagles at Bonita Vista Barons (Slideshow by Suzy Lahitte)

© East County Sports.com
BONITA (5-27-10) — The condensed schedule adopted by the SDCIF when it switched to a double-elimination format for the fastpitch playoffs is starting to take its toll on teams with just one main pitcher.

And several East County teams took advantage of tiring or absent pitchers to secure victories on the third consecutive day of competition, a day avoided by no one except the two remaining undefeated ballclubs in each division.

For the teams in action Wednesday (May 26), things get no easier in Thursday's final day prior to the championship, needing to win twice – a total of five ballgames over four days – just to reach one of four finales at UC San Diego.

Less than 24 hours after establishing a school playoff mark with 17 strikeouts in tossing a 3-hit shutout against Mira Mesa, Lahitte, a USD bound senior, did one better by registering 18 whiffs in bolting Bonita Vista from the postseason in Wednesday's (May 26) elimination contest.

"We definitely don't want the season to end," said Lahitte. "That's why everyone on this team is working so hard."

"I know, as a senior, I don't want to end my career with a loss, so even though it will be tough to go through the loser's bracket, we still want to win."

Lahitte has been here before, once leading Granite Hills to its lone CIF fastpitch crown as a sophomore in 2008, earning a pair of all-state berths (second team all-state, and a member of the all-underclass team).

The only reason Granite Hills was in contention most of the season was due to Lahitte's pitching arm and her hitting. But now, the Eagles' catalyst is carrying over to her teammates.

"Jenny is hitting her stride and everyone is building off it," noted head coach ERIN COYNE.

Especially on offense after Granite Hills collected 14 hits off Bonita Vista, highlighted by a 4-for-4 effort by center fielder MORGAN KURTZ. The leadoff batter also scored twice.

In addition, designated player DESIREE MEJIA and second baseman TARIN MARKS each went 3-for-4.

"Everyone is coming through when it counted," added Lahitte.

The Eagles broke through with a pair of runs in both the 2nd and 3rd innings. The initial rally featured consecutive RBI doubles by Marks and third baseman MICHELLE MILLER, both sending shots to left-center field.

Granite Hills later tagged on four more runs in the 7th.

Bonita Vista took advantage of a pair of walks to score its lone run in the 4th, as Celinna Cosio followed with an RBI double to bring home Hannah Flippin. However, Lahitte escaped the jam with a pair of strikeouts in tossing a 2-hitter.

Granite Hills gains a playoff rematch with Rancho Bernardo in the challenger bracket semifinals. A victory means an immediate second game against the loser of the winners’ bracket final between El Camino and Torrey Pines.

Valhalla third baseman Dionna Smith fires to first base in the Norsemen conquest of host Scripps Ranch, 4-2, in CIF Division II action.

CIF Championships, Third Round Valhalla Norsemen at Scripps Ranch Falcons (Photo & Slideshow by James Labshere)

"The first inning was huge – we came out swinging our bats," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG.

The outburst made life simple for Norsemen pitcher TORREY ROOK, who struck out 11 batters in tossing a 2-hittier at the Falcons.

"Actually, Torrey didn't have her best stuff, but she pitched well enough to get outs," added Hartung. "She settled in and showed greater command of her pitches as the game went on."

The lone Scripps Ranch threat came in the 1st, scoring once to cut the lead to 4-1. The Falcons still had two runners on base, but Rook escaped the lone main threat against her.

Valhalla's early outburst saw center fielder KAITLIN McGINLEY single, then move to second base on a NAOMI TELLEZ bunt. CORA CORDOVA then singled and stole second base to place two runners in scoring position to set-up the heart of the Norsemen batting order.

Rook followed with an RBI single to left, third baseman DIONNA SMITH followed with a run-scoring basehit to center, then first baseman KIANA BROWN laced a double to left-center to score two runs.

Brown finished with a 2-for-2 outing at the plate, plus a pair of walks, including an intentional pass with two outs and no one on base.

Rook went 3-for-4, while McGinley posted a pair of basehits.

Both Scripps Ranch hits were collected by catcher Maggie Sevilla.

From the depths of the Steele Canyon staff, head coach JULIE BOHE called upon COURTNEY JOHNSON for the start, just her fifth all season. However, one included a strong, 8-inning performance against these very same Knights in a 2-2 tie back in March, so it made sense to select the junior to allow the oft-injured LORENA KLOPP a day's rest.

Johnson allowed just one earned run, yet trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before the Cougars bats came to life.

"We popped out a lot, just like our last game," said assistant coach QUINN RENFRO. "However, we stayed aggressive at the plate and things turned around for us."

After San Marcos gained its second lead in the 5th, Steele Canyon immediately answered on an RBI double by VANESSA KELLEMS. Her shot to right field brought home AMANDA HARTNETT, who reached on an error.

The Cougars garnered their only lead in the 6th on a pair of hard-hit balls.

Left fielder NICOLE RANDEL blasted a triple over the head of the Knights right fielder. One out later, GABRIELLE BEASLEY scorched a hot grounder up the middle for what turned out to be the game-winning RBI.

Beasley went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI, including a run-scoring double to tie the ballgame in the 2nd to score ALYSSA HERRICK, the courtesy runner for catcher MOLLY HUTCHISON, who singled.

Kellems went 2-for-2 to continue stroking her strong bat since returning from an injury. After missing more than a month, the junior right fielder is batting.545 since becoming active three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Johnson stayed strong, escaping a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the 4th by gaining a pop out and a soft grounder, both to Klopp playing at first base.

Steele Canyon will meet Grossmont Hills League rival Valhalla in a 5 p.m. elimination contest Thursday (May 27) at the Sportsplex USA location in Poway.

DIVISION III
CLAIREMONT 3, EL CAPITAN 1 – For the second time in three seasons, the host Chieftains eliminated the Vaqueros from postseason play, ending El Capitan's best campaign of the decade.

Senior shortstop ALISHA WYCKOFF capped her career with a 2-for-3 outing, stealing two bases and scoring the team's lone run in the 3rd inning to make it a 1-1 contest.

While Johnson tossed a 2-hit shutout to hold down top contender Scripps Ranch in a Division II contest, Rancho Bernardo's Laura Winter was tagged for a pair of runs in the bottom of the 7th, allowing surging El Camino to top the Broncos, 3-2, in a Division I ballgame.

With the spotlight on the Division II championship – the best in the section – Johnson, now 19-2 this season, will now need to defeat Mt. Carmel and pitcher Bree Williams (26-3), as the team champion will likely gain the honor of fielding the top pitcher when the San Diego Hall of Champions' media panel meets shortly after the season is completed.

The Wolf Pack and Sundevils meet Thursday in a much-anticipated winners bracket final, with the victor needing just one additional triumph for the championship; Mt. Carmel seeks its fourth straight crown.

West Hills (27-2-1) scored both of its runs in the 4th inning, but not without a scare.

After standout catcher MICHERIE KORIA reached base on a fielder's choice, taking the spot on the basepaths from KAELI HUNYADY (lead single), Koria was stung in the head on her attempt to steal second base.

"The Scripps' second baseman caught the ball, then turned hard to tag Micherie, but hit her in the head," said Wolf Pack coach MIKE APPLEBAUM. "She was on the ground for more than five minutes – she was really hit hard."

Fortunately, Koria remained in the contest, scoring moments later on a basehit to right field by ALEX MILLER.

West Hills continued to try and hit the ball to the opposite field off Falcons pitcher Meredith Brown, much as Grossmont did in a late-season victory at Scripps Ranch two weeks ago.

Continuing the game plan, BRI AUSTIN followed with a double to the gap in right-center to place two runners in scoring position. And when Scripps Ranch started to adjust on defense, Applebaum tossed his own change-up by allowing power-hitting first baseman JENNA BASNIGHT to bunt.

Basnight placed the ball down the first-base line for the RBI, with Austin easily scoring the insurance run.

Meanwhile, Johnson coasted, not allowing any Falcons baserunners past first base. The lone Scripps Ranch hits were a 1st-inning single by Amanda Robinson, then a lead single in the 2nd by Emily Gusse.

After that, Johnson retired the final 18 batters in succession.

MT. CARMEL 6, STEELE CANYON 2 – Moments after the Cougars finally reached Sundevils pitcher Bree Williams for a pair of runs in the 4th inning, Mt. Carmel 's Kellie Fox blasted her 7th home run of the season to advance her ballclub to the CIF Division II winners bracket final.

Fox drilled a 2-2 pitch for a 3-run shot to right-center field, capping a 4-run rally to continue the Sundevils' collision course with West Hills in the next round. The winner gains the inside track to the San Diego Section championship in the modified, double-elimination tournament.

"It was a rise-ball to the outside of the plate and she hammered it," said Cougars assistant coach QUINN RENFRO. "I take full responsibility for it – I called a bad pitch in that situation."

After Mt. Carmel took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Ashley Romano to score Alix Johnson (double down left-field line) in the 1st. Steele Canyon then attempted to utilize the same strategy Westview performed last week to upset the 'Devils on the final day of the regular season.

Consecutive slap singles by MOLLY HUTCHISON and GABRIELLE BEASLEY set the table. Later in the frame, AMANDA HARTNETT grounded to shortstop, with the throw coming home, but ASHLEY BARANOV (Hutchison's courtesy runner) still scored to knot the contest at 1-all.

VANESSA KELLEMS followed with a basehit to left field, which scored MADISON HANTEN with the go-ahead run. However, Hartnett was thrown out at the plate attempting to take an extra base.

Steele Canyon moves to the challenger bracket, hosting San Marcos.

SAN MARCOS 2, GROSSMONT 1 (8 inn.) – Despite scoring a 1st-inning run, the Foothillers are 2-and-done in the SDCIF Division II playoffs after the visiting Knights rallied to win in extra innings.

Grossmont's run came quick and easy.

AMANDA PORTER led off with a slap single, beating the throw by the shortstop. The freshman then stole second base, eventually scoring on a two-out single by Horizon High senior transfer HANNAH RAPOPORT.

However, San Marcos pitcher Christina Clermont allowed just two additional basehits the rest of the way. The only threat came on a HAYLEY KASDEN double in the 4th, but she was thrown out attempting to stretch the hit into a triple.

In the 8th, the Knights' Katie Bushee led with a double, then after moving to third base, scoring on a Clermont basehit down the left-field line despite the objections from Grossmont, which thought the ball went foul before reaching the bag.

VALHALLA 5, PATRICK HENRY 2 – In a Division II elimination contest, the Norsemen utilized the combination of seniors KAITLIN McGINLEY and CORA CORDOVA to single runs in the 1st, 3rd and 5th innings, then TORREY ROOK blasted a 2-run homer to end the season for the Patriots at Leto Field.

Over each of the three innings, McGinley reached base (a walk and a pair of singles), stole second base then came home on a Cordova basehit.

The shortstop went 3-for-3 with three RBI, then scored when Rook rocked a 3-2 pitch into the wind in right-center field, yet still muscled the ball over the barrier. It was her 5th homer of the season.

Rook also came in to relieve starting pitcher CANDICE STAMPER, tossing 4 2/3 innings of shutout ball to collect the victory. Included was registered two outs in the 3rd after Patrick Henry had scored to take a 2-1 lead.

The Norsemen next travel to Scripps Ranch in another win-or-go-home contest Wednesday.

DIVISION I
GRANITE HILLS 1, MIRA MESA 0 – The visiting Marauders opened the playoffs by scoring 13 runs on Vista. Too bad they didn't save any, suffering their second straight shutout loss after getting bounced from the SDCIF Division I playoffs by Granite Hills.

Eagles senior JENNY LAHITTE dominated in tossing a 3-hitter, registering a school playoff record 17 strikeouts.

"Jenny's been carrying us all season – she just steps up and gets it done," said Eagles coach ERIN COYNE.

Meanwhile, Granite Hills mustered just a pair of hits off Mira Mesa pitcher Lani Vanta, yet still generated enough offense to score in the 4th to break the deadlock.

NICOLE OBNEY opened with a walk, then moved to third base on a DESIREE MEJIA sacrifice bunt and a CHAYLAH ZETSCH grounder to the right side.

Sophomore TARIN MARKS followed with a flare which just flew over the extended arm of the Mira Mesa second baseman into right field. It wasn't pretty, yet Obney came home with the ballgame's lone tally.

Lahitte carried a 1-hitter into the 7th before Mira Mesa attempted to respond.

Vanta hit a lead double, then Katiyana Mauga just missed a 2-run homer on a deep fly out to right field. Lauren Mersereau followed with a basehit to place runners on the corners, but Lahitte escaped with a pair of game-ending strikeouts.

Granite Hills (17-12) continues elimination round play Wednesday (May 26) at Bonita Vista.

PLAYOFF BRACKETS HERE

CIF Championships, First Round Granite Hills Eagles at Rancho Bernardo Broncos (Slideshow by Suzy Lahitte)

CIF Championships, First Round Valhalla Norsemen at Steele Canyon Cougars (Slideshow by James Labshere)

DIVISIONS I & II Klopp again dominates Valhalla in CIF © East County Sports.com RANCHO SAN DIEGO (5-25-10) — For three years running, Steele Canyon and Valhalla high schools have traded punches in their regular-season series, splitting a pair of contests each season. But when it comes to postseason play, the Cougars keep producing one-sided triumphs completely divergent from their meetings in league play. For the second straight postseason, Steele Canyon pitcher LORENA KLOPP spun a shutout at the Norsemen, limiting them to just one hit in Monday's (May 24) run-rule victory, 10-0 in 5 innings, in the San Diego CIF Division II championships. Last season, also in the first round, Klopp threw a no-hitter at Valhalla in a 12-0 decision. This time, the senior was equally as dominant. "It was a very complete game," said Cougars assistant coach QUINN RENFRO. "It's what you come to expect from Lorena." Klopp was backed by a strong defensive effort, which included diving grabs in foul territory by first baseman MADI HANTEN and catcher MOLLY HUTCHISON. Hanten's catch proved important, registering the third out when Valhalla had two runners in scoring position in the 1st. However, she dived toward the Norsemen dugout to secure a shallow pop-up. "We've been telling our girls to get dirty all season," noted Renfro. "And Madi showed them how to do it." Hutchison made a similar play towards the Steele Canyon dugout. The freshman catcher also contributed with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate, including the key hit when the Cougars put the game away early after posting five runs in the 1st. "Valhalla is never a team to take lightly," noted Steele Canyon head coach JULIE BOHE. "But everyone in the lineup hit the ball and we kept it together on defense." The big rally started when MICHELLE BEASLEY reached on an error, moving to third on a NICOLE RANDEL double. Hutchison then knocked both runners in with the first of her two doubles on the afternoon. Three batters later, with two runners on base, Valhalla elected to go to second base on an IRENE BLUMENSTOCK grounder, but the throw sailed to the outfield fence and all three runners came home. For the contest, Klopp batted 2-for-2 with a double, with courtesy runner ALYSSA HERRICK scoring both times. Randel went 3-for-4, including a double in the 2nd, then run-scoring singles in the 3rd and 5th innings. Beasley finished 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. The lone Valhalla basehit was a 2-out single by senior shortstop CORA CORDOVA in the 5th. In a rematch of the 2009 championship contest, Steele Canyon (21-7-1) advances to the winners bracket semifinals against 3-time defending champion Mt. Carmel. The Sundevils (26-3) also delivered its own knockout, pasting Patrick Henry, 9-2. Grace Hernandez, the Patriots' No. 1 pitcher, was knocked out of the contest after taking a line drive off the shin of her lead leg. Her status is doubtful when Henry (12-14-1) goes to Valhalla (20-10-1) for Tuesday's challenger bracket affair at Leto Field. First baseman Alex Mootry provided all of Henry's offense with a 2-run homer in the 6th to trim the deficit to 3-2. However, the host Sundevils countered with 6 runs in the 6th. SCRIPPS RANCH 1, GROSSMONT 0 – In a rematch of a late-season, non-league affair, it was another 1-run thriller captured by the visiting team. However, it was the 5th-seeded Falcons which came out on top in Monday's (May 24) first round of the SDCIF Division II playoffs. A 1st-inning, unearned run by Scripps Ranch leadoff batter Corinna Lopez stood up all afternoon, as Falcons pitcher Meredith Brown tossed a 4-hit shutout at the Foothillers (16-13). "We just couldn't get anything going with the bats," Hillers coach JERRY LERUD lamented. "These are really even teams, but they got the run and we didn't." Lopez opened the ballgame with a basehit, but still stood at first base two outs later. However, clean-up hitter Amanda Robinson singled, Taylor Tye walked to load the bases, then an error on a grounder by Emily Gusse allowed an unearned run to score. Brown then struck out nine batters in tossing her shutout, out-dueling Grossmont starter RACHEL STALFORD, who struck out six and allowed just three additional hits over the final six innings. The lone Grossmont threat came in the 3rd on two-out singles by LAUREN MIRANDA and AMANDA PORTER. The only other basehits were registered by the KASDEN sisters – senior CORAL and freshman HAYLEY. Grossmont moved to challenger bracket play, hosting upstart San Marcos, which upset Mission Hills in Saturday's play-in game, but then fell to West Hills. WEST HILLS 9, SAN MARCOS 2 – The Knights' first-ever victory over cross-city rival Mission Hills may be the best San Marcos can hope for this season after the 9th-seeds were pummeled by the top-seeded Wolf Pack in Monday's (May 24) SDCIF Division II first round contest. West Hills pitcher NOELLE JOHNSON yielded just three hits and one earned run to maintain control all day. San Marcos actually took a brief 2-1 lead on Wolf Pack errors, but West Hills (26-2-1) answered with five runs in the 3rd to place another one in the win column, collecting victory No. 22 over its last 23 starts. Wolf Pack senior FAITH KORIA equaled an East County record in the effort. The second baseman stole three bases, giving her 37 for the season to match the mark established last season by Valhalla's KAITLIN McGINLEY. Koria led off in three different innings, each time reaching base with a single, leading to run production each time. She went 3-for-4 against the Knights, as did senior shortstop ALEX MILLER. In the 1st, Koria scored on a Miller double to left-center field. After San Marcos took the lead with single runs in the 2nd and 3rd, Koria again ignited the offense. Koria singled and stole a pair of bases, KAELI HUNYADY walked, then MICHERIE KORIA's fielder's choice tied the ballgame. Miller then singled to bring home Hunyady with the go-ahead run, followed by basehits from BRI AUSTIN, JENNA BASNIGHT and Johnson, the latter two producing runs. In the 5th, another Miller basehit again scored Hunyady. West Hills will host Scripps Ranch in Tuesday's (May 25) winners’ bracket semifinals. DIVISION I RANCHO BERNARDO 2, GRANITE HILLS 0 – The much-anticipated pitching duel between JENNY LAHITTE of the Eagles and the Broncos' LAURA WINTER matched the hype. The difference proved to be a pair of Rancho Bernardo runs in the 1st as Winter took the decision on a 3-hitter shutout. The rally featured run-scoring singles by Madeline McIntyre and Kathryn Dutton. The lone basehits by Granite Hills were recorded by Lahitte, KIMMY TRIOLO and DESIREE MEJIA. Lahitte allowed just six hits.

© East County Sports.com
CARMEL VALLEY (5-25-10) — When it comes to architecture and the means to construct buildings which can integrate both design with engineering, El Capitan High softball coach JOE COTA, the school's long-time shop instructor, definitely knows what he's talking about.

Cota was mesmerized on his initial reflections on his first visit to Cathedral Catholic High, reminding him of lessons learned about High Renaissance greats such as Leonardo da Vinci.

"It was an unbelievable establishment, with Tuscany style buildings and beautiful landscaping," Cota noted. "It reminded me of Italy."

In fact, Cota plans to take his bride to the original home of Western civilization for a vacation – a land he has never been before.

Similarly, his Vaqueros are reaching heights not reached in recent years after gaining a berth into the winner's bracket Final Four following Monday's (May 24) upset of the third-seeded Lady Dons, 4-3, in the SDCIF Division III playoffs.

Among his most famous pieces of art, da Vinci (self-portrait above) produced, "Mona Lisa," "The Last Supper," and "The Vitruvian Man" (shown below).

Just call her, "The Vitruvian Woman."

Trailing 1-0 in the 6th inning, Taynton bombed a go-ahead, bases-loaded triple, then scored on the same play when the relay throw from the outfield landed out of bounds into the third-base dugout.

"Amber didn't bow her head or get upset," said Cota. "She just re-focused and still found a way to help the team win. She had a great at-bat."

Gourley then took over, allowing a pair of unearned runs in the 6th, then set Cathedral Catholic (17-9-2) down in order in the 7th, propelling the Vaqueros into the semifinals for the first time since 2002.

For the ballgame, Gourley struck out 10 Lady Dons, while allowing just three basehits. She also started the game-winning rally.

In the 6th, Gourley bombed a double to center field, advancing when senior CATHERINE BROWN, now 100 percent healthy and starting at catcher, singled to place runners on the corners.

KARA HOSTETLER followed with a safety squeeze bunt, but Gourley elected to stay at third instead of attempting to tie the ballgame since there were no outs. By the time, Cathedral decided where to throw the ball, Hostetler was safe at first with a scratch single to load the bases.

Taynton then delivered the biggest blow of her career to ruin the shutout bid by Lady Dons pitcher Courtney Rivera.

"All of our girls were hitting the ball, but Cathedral made some plays on defense," added the coach. "But we kept it up and finally put several hits together."

Hostetler, the second baseman, and Gourley each produced two of El Cap's eight hits.

Cathedral took the early lead on a wild pitch for a run in the 1st. The other RBI was by Natalie Orozco (single), then an error on a Riley Price grounder made it 4-3 before Gourley escaped.

El Capitan advances to meet defending champion University City on Tuesday (May 25). The second-seeded Centurions (17-7) gained the home game after run-ruling Monte Vista, 10-0 in 6 innings.

SANTANA 5, VALLEY CENTER 0 – KAYTI GRABLE continued to swing a hot stick for the Sultans, as the freshman continues the march to match her older sister.

Grable belted a pair of doubles – AMANDA GRABLE recently set the SDCIF single-season record for 2-base hits – including a key hit to open the scoring, giving Santana its eighth consecutive trip to the final four.

In the 3rd inning of a scoreless contest, MICHELLE THILLE singled and stole second base, scoring on Kayti Grable's shot to center field. Grable would make it 2-0 when EMILY SCHISLER singled just inside the bag at first base. All three players collected two hits each, along with a pair by TARA GRENNAN, accounting for eight of the Sultans total of 12 off Jaguars pitching.

Meanwhile, SHANNON FYSON limited Valley Center (13-19) to just four hits, coming out after six innings after Santana added three late runs in the 6th to blow the ballgame open.

GABBY SCOLARI started the rally with a basehit, with pinch-runner ALEX BREIDT moving to third on a Schisler single. CAITLYN ARNDT followed with an RBI single to left, Grennan walked to load the bases, then Thille delivered a 2-run single to right.

Santana (22-7-1), the top seeds in Division III, will host San Dieguito on Tuesday (May 25) in the winners bracket semifinals. The Mustangs (22-7) advanced after also stunning a higher seeded team from the Western League in stopping host Clairemont, 3-1.

DIVISION IV
CHRISTIAN 3, HORIZON 1 – While the Patriots' power hitters struggled against SDCIF career strikeout leader and Santee resident CASSIDY COLEMAN, the nickle-and-dimers cashed in big-time to advance Christian into the CIF Division IV winners bracket semifinals following Monday's (May 24) triumph at Dawson Field.

Coleman mowed down 14 batters on strikes, but the Panthers couldn't counter against Christian starting pitcher ALLI GUNTER until after the Pats mounted a 3-0 lead.

"Cassidy is definitely back – she's throwing hard," Christian coach GEORGE GENTRY noted about Coleman, who needed more than a month to rehab from major surgery to remove a rib. "But Alli stood up to her and definitely got stronger as the game went along. She kept her composure."

Gentry noted how "small ball" led to a run in the 3rd, then Christian scored twice on just one hit to grab a 3-0 advantage in the 4th.

Gunter scored the initial run following her leadoff single. She then stole second base, moved to third on a roller for an infield single by left fielder KEYLEE SCHULZ, then came home on a safety squeeze bunt for an RBI basehit by center fielder JEANNIE VEST.

"Putting the ball on the ground did it for us," added Gentry.

In the 4th, a pair of walks and a hit batter eventually loaded the bases. Shortstop MONIQUE ELLIOTT then delivered the only other Patriots hit of the contest, slapping a single to left-center to score MIRANDA CAZARES and Gunter. The rally included a sacrifice bunt by AMANDA MARCOS.

Christian (22-8) gains a Tuesday (May 25) home game against Palo Verde Valley. The Yellowjackets (27-4) advanced after going 9 innings to nip La Jolla Country Day, 1-0, but now must make the long drive from Blythe (although there were reports the team was seeking permission to travel late Monday to spend the night in El Cajon).

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-23-10) — Just six short years ago, three different East County schools captured CIF softball championships in the same season, as Valhalla (Div. II), Santana (Div. III) and Christian (Div. IV) came away with San Diego Section trophies in a memorable finish to the 2004 campaign.

Following Saturday's (May 22) postseason openers, which included a 5-for-5 performance by local squads – oh, did we mention, the trio of top-seeded programs from East County all had byes – could history repeat?

The no-hitters came courtesy of Valhalla junior TORREY ROOK in the Norsemen's 5-0 sinking of Mar Vista, while El Capitan freshman DELANIE GOURLEY drilled Montgomery, 14-0, in a ballgame called after 5 innings.

In the other contest, JENNIFER GARDINA accounted for the only run in Monte Vista's 1-0 decision at Brawley.

DIVISION I
GRANITE HILLS 3, LA COSTA CANYON 1 – In one of the most highly contested postseason series this decade, the Eagles' two most consistent players this season – JENNY LAHITTE and NICOLE OBNEY – carried the hosts in Saturday's (May 22) SDCIF play-in contest.

Lahitte brushed off an early Mavericks run on a passed ball in the 1st inning, rebounding nicely to carry most of the load. Not only did she strike out 14 La Costa Canyon batters, Lahitte also belted a tie-breaking home run to left-center field in the 4th.

Later, Obney, the Granite Hills first baseman, delivered a shot to nearly an identical spot for another homer in the 6th.

The triumph avenged a 1-0 setback in last season's playoff opener. Granite Hills also defeated the Mavericks in the 2008 Division I championship game, but were given a controversial 2005 forfeit victory over La Costa Canyon for breaking CIF rules.

LCC (11-16) scored first when senior center fielder Jackie Cooley walked, stole a pair of bases, then came home on a passed ball. After that, Lahitte allowed just one basehit all contest, a single to senior shortstop Madison Black.

Meanwhile, Granite Hills posted a fast start off LCC pitcher Sarah San Millan, who was coming off a victory over Division I top seed Torrey Pines.

Like the Mavs, MORGAN KURTZ accepted a leadoff walk, then stole second base. Lahitte followed with a basehit, then Obney collected the first of her two RBI on a ground ball to the right side.

Lahitte, Obney and DESIREE MEJIA each collected two hits for the Eagles (16-11).

Granite Hills advances to meet 3rd-seeded Rancho Bernardo (22-7-1) in a rematch from March's Cougar Classic championship contest. Lahitte did not pitch in that contest after going extra innings in the semifinals earlier in the day. She is expected to face Broncos ace Laura Winter in what will be Monday's (May 24) premiere pitching match-up.

No problem for Rook, who allowed just a pair of baserunners all morning (both on walks) to sink the Mariners' armada. Rook struck out 14 batters, giving Valhalla (20-9-1) its first 20-win season since advancing to the SDCIF championship game in 2005.

Plus, the Norsemen gain a revenge pairing with Grossmont Hills League rival Steele Canyon, which embarrassingly eliminated them from last season's playoffs by run rule.

This season, the ballclubs split a pair of GHL contests, both winning on the road by shutout. Thus, a return to the Great Wall shouldn't bother Valhalla.

Mar Vista senior pitcher Angel Iacovetti, who gained a scholarship to Hunter College in New York City, kept her team close over five shutout innings before the Norsemen broke through thanks to a familiar face.

Norsemen catcher NAOMI TELLEZ marked her return from injury with a key basehit, when the team scored three times in the 6th inning to snap the pitchers' duel.

Following a two-out single through the left side by CANDICE STAMPER, Tellez surprised everyone when dragging a bunt down the first-base line for a scratch single.

"Although Candice's single was important, Naomi's hit seemed to wake us up," said Valhalla coach DOUG HARTUNG. "It seemed to get everybody going."

TAYLOR SIMS, who has shared the catching duties during Tellez' absence, followed with an infield single toward second base, scoring Stamper with the game's first run.

Courtesy runner AMANDA WELLONS followed by stealing second base, then senior KAITLIN McGINLEY slapped a 2-run single to right field to score Tellez, with Wellons making it home by sliding between the legs of the Mar Vista catcher.

It was all Rook needed to collect the victory.

"Iacovetti kept us off-balance for a while there," added Hartung. "But Torrey was dominating – no one on Mar Vista ever reached second base."

In the 7th, Stamper also produced a 2-run single to left, scoring Rook (single) and MADISON LABSHERE (safe on error, stolen base).

DIVISION III
EL CAPITAN 14, MONTGOMERY 0 (5 inn.) – Unsure what to except from a pair of starting pitchers on a squad with an unproven track record in the playoffs, Vaqueros coach JOE COTA had both of his youngsters warm-up prior to El Capitan's first home playoff contest since 2002.

"You never know how they would handle the pressure – it would be the first playoff game for both of them," Cota noted. "So I had both DELANIE (GOURLEY) and AMBER (TAYNTON) ready to go just in case."

It turns out, it would be absolutely no problem for Gourley. The freshman struck out 11 Aztecs batters without issuing a walk, as El Capitan (20-11) reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 1995 after eliminating Montgomery.

Gourley was in line for a perfect game, but a pair of errors led to the Aztecs' lone baserunners.

"What can you say? Delanie's been special ever since striking out 21 batters in her first game," added Cota. "We thought about putting Amber in there because we had a big lead, but Delanie was throwing a no-hitter, so it was hard to take her out."

While Gourley mowed down nearly every batter she faced, KARA HOSTETLER started her big day by staking her pitcher to an early lead after slugging a 3-run homer in the 1st inning. Hostetler, the second baseman, would account for six RBI in her biggest outing of the season.

"Like Kara, a lot of our girls are playing with a lot of confidence right now," said the coach. "And with our pitching, this could be an interesting playoff."

Hostetler, a senior, finished with a 3-for-4 performance, including a pair of hits in the 5th when the Vaqueros scored eight times. She first hit a run-scoring double, then lined a 2-run single.

Meanwhile, Taynton, senior CATHERINE BROWN and sophomore FELICIA ARCAMO all batted 2-for-4, part of a 17-hit attack.

Oddly, during El Cap's 8-run rally, the team only needed five runs to take a 10-0 lead and invoke the run rule. However, the umpires nor the Montgomery coaching staff ever said anything, so the contest continued and the teams played a full 5th inning.

The Vaqueros advance to Monday's game at third-seeded Cathedral Catholic (17-8-2).

MONTE VISTA 1, BRAWLEY 0 (Courtesy, Imperial Valley Press) – Monarchs junior JENNIFER GARDINA belted her first interscholastic home run, the only score in Monte Vista's road win against the Wildcats.

A year ago, Brawley pounded Monte Vista in an 8-2 opening-round triumph, but the Monarchs gained a measure of revenge on Gardina's shot in the 4th inning.

Meanwhile, pitcher MARIZA MALDANADO tossed a 5-hit shutout at Brawley (12-14), advancing Monte Vista (13-16) to a Monday (May 24) contest at second-seeded University City (16-7), the champions of the Western League.

ALLI GUNTER and RICKY GENTRY combined on a 1-hit shutout; the lone basehit came in the 1st inning. Gunter struck out seven batters in her four innings of work, while Gentry struck out another in the 5th to cap the run-rule decision.

Christian's continues to find offense from all parts of the batting order. This time, it was AMANDA MARCOS leading the charge by driving in three runs in a 2-for-3 outing.

Marcos belted an RBI triple in the 2nd, when the Patriots scored twice to open the scoring. The junior then registered a 2-run single in the 4th.

The balanced attack saw JEANNIE VEST club an RBI double when Christian scored five times in the 3rd to make it 7-0. Meanwhile, Gunter, MARY GRABOWSKI and ALLIE SCOTT each knocked in a run.

Christian advances to meet Horizon, which recently re-gained the services of senior pitcher CASSIDY COLEMAN, a Santee resident, who tossed a perfect game against Imperial in other action Saturday (May 22). Coleman is the CIF San Diego Section career strikeout leader.

© East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (5-21-10) — West Hills, Santana and Christian high schools all received top seeds for the CIF fastpitch championships, the San Diego Section office announced Thursday (May 20).

The Wolf Pack (25-2-1) gained the top berth in Division II after top-ranked Mt. Carmel (25-3) dropped its regular-season finale Tuesday (May 18) to Westview. The two schools had been alternating between the two spots in both major media polls over the second half of the season.

Prior to the Sundevils loss, CalHiSports had them rated 14th in California, while West Hills was among the honorable mention in the most recent state rankings.

With the top seed, the Pack gains an automatic bye into Monday's (May 24) double-elimination portion of the postseason tournament. They will entertain the winner of Saturday's (May 22) play-in game between No. 9 San Marcos and No. 8 Mission Hills.

A trio of other East County schools also gained high placement in the Division II pool, with No. 3 Steele Canyon and No. 4 Grossmont also gaining byes, while sixth-seeded Valhalla gained a Saturday contest against Mar Vista, starting at 10 a.m. However, since the Mariners are a league champion, they will be the host school, so the ballgame will be held in Imperial Beach.

Also gaining a top seed is Santana, the Grossmont Valley League titlist, in Division III.

The Sultans (21-7-1) will host the victor between No. 9 Valley Center and No. 8 Our Lady of Peace.

Also in the field are El Capitan (19-11) and Monte Vista (12-16). The Vaqueros are seeded a surprisingly low sixth, as both Clairemont and San Dieguito were situated above the Lakesiders, who seek their first postseason win since 2002.

El Cap will host Montgomery, while the No. 10 Monarchs will travel to No. 7 Brawley in a 2009 rematch. The Wildcats skated to an 8-2 triumph last spring.

The Patriots (20-8) will host Tri-City Christian of Vista at 10 a.m. Saturday at Dawson Field.

In Division I, the lone Grossmont Conference school is Granite Hills, which was placed sixth. The Eagles (15-11) gain yet another postseason ballgame with La Costa Canyon.

This will be Granite Hills' fourth postseason meeting with the Mavericks since 2005, which started a rivalry when LCC was forced to forfeit to the Eagles.

Granite Hills then defeated La Costa Canyon in the 2008 CIFSDS championship game, gaining the school's first section crown, only to watch the Mavs avenge the setback last year in a 1-0 thriller.

SENIOR DAY PHOTOS
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Christian Patriots	Valhalla Norsemen

West Hills Wolf Pack
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Granite Hills Eagles	Grossmont Foothillers