Cougars score twice in final inning to win 2-1
SALINAS — In reaching the Central Coast Section playoffs for the first time in three years, the Lady Acorns succeeded in laying the groundwork for rebuilding their softball program this spring.
They will have to wait until next year to build off it, though they looked ready Wednesday.
Minutes after breaking up a no-hitter in the seventh inning at the Salinas Sports Complex, 10th-seeded Live Oak was on the verge of upsetting No. 7 San Lorenzo Valley in the first round of the Division III tournament when Pati Monterrey legged out a pinch-hit infield single that scored Priscilla Orona from third base.
But the rally ended two outs — and one controversial call — later, and the Cougars managed to score twice in the bottom half to win 2-1.
“We’re disappointed because we felt like we should have had it. But, if you’re going to lose, that’s the way to go out,” Acorns manager Alex Sutton said Thursday. “Our girls played a great game, and SLV did what they had to do to win it. I give them credit.”
Locked in a pitchers dual with sophomore Katie Obbema, San Lorenzo Valley starter Kendra Salagsang had a no-no going until Orona’s lead-off single in the final inning.
Orona stole second and moved to third on a base hit by Obbema, setting up Monterrey’s go-ahead single. Pinch-running for Monterrey, Rachel Ditta later went to third but was called out for trying to advance home while Salagsang held the ball in the pitcher’s circle.
The Acorns (10-12-1) grounded out to end the inning.
“Rachel never left third,” Live Oak assistant coach Fred Cisneroz said. “It was a judgment call and pretty questionable, but that happens. The girls kept their heads up afterward, and I’m happy for them.”
Salagsang had 12 strikeouts and allowed three hits — all in the seventh. Obbema gave up six hits, struck out five and sent the Cougars (21-7) away scoreless with runners in scoring position and less than two outs on three occasions.
“It was a phenomenal matchup between them,” Sutton said. “Katie was amazing, and so was the defense behind her. The girls played with confidence, which is a huge success.”
That is a sign of improvement from last year when the Acorns won four games in Sutton’s first season. They placed fourth in the Mount Hamilton Division at 9-5 in league this spring and will have as many as seven varsity players back in 2011, plus three sophomores Sutton brought up from junior varsity for Wednesday.
Live Oak will graduate five seniors: Erin Leggett, Hailey Nelson, Jacey Turay, Sam Bejarano and San Francisco State signee Jenna Robertson.
“They took it upon themselves to help this team get better,” Sutton said. “They played like they owned the field.”
San Lorenzo Valley, a Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League school, will play No. 2 Hillsdale in the quarterfinals Saturday.
