In a funny way, the Live Oak softball team was talking about the first round playoff curse.
Funny because Live Oak’s last 10 playoff appearances have resulted in just three first round exits. Yes last year was the third in that run, but it had only happened in 2002 and 2010 before that.
But better safe than sorry, and Live Oak made sure no opportunity was going to slip away in an 8-2 win over St. Ignatius on Wednesday.
“They played fearless today, like the way we played early in the season and we went through a little phase of lacking,” said coach Sarah Porras. “They came back out today fearless and ready to take on anything.”
Live Oak scored six of its eight runs as a direct result of miscues by the St. Ignatius defense, including an inside the park home run by Ianna Schlaefli to tie the game in the second inning.
Schlaefli hit a fly ball to center that was tailing toward right field. The two Wildcats fielders gave chase and collided in the outfield, injuring the right fielder.
That allowed Kelli St. Clair to score from first and Schlaefli to storm around the bases.
Then in the sixth, with Live Oak leading 4-2, a dropped third strike and a dropped fly ball in right field gave the Acorns new life and a two out rally.
Kalie Lowery hit a pop up to shallow right that skipped off the fielder’s glove with two outs, allowing Haley Bonfante to score from second.
Bonfante had reached on a dropped third strike.
Jordyn Campbell followed with an RBI double and later scored on a single from Kylie Plant.
Maddie Gallagher finished off the inning with a triple that scored Plant.
And those runs were more than pitcher Vanessa Ramos needed.
Ramos got touched up for two runs in the second inning on a triple and a double to lead off the inning, but went into shutdown mode after.
Following the second inning, she allowed five more base runners on three hits, a walk and an error.
She struck out two hitters, but managed to keep the Wildcats off balance the whole game thanks to her off speed pitches, which was why Porras elected to start her over the flame throwing Gallagher.
“They play in the West Catholic League and they see speed all the time. Vanessa can throw some absolute junk. She definitely had them off their game,” Porras said. “That was our plan and it totally worked for us.”
The offense came through for the Acorns, collecting eight runs on eight hits with seven RBIs.
Gallagher went 3-4 to lead the charge with a triple and two RBIs.
Plant went 2-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Live Oak will now take on a Hillsdale team on Saturday that is coming off of an 11-0 route of Gunderson on Wednesday.
Hillsdale plays in the tough Peninsula Athletic League’s Bay Division and is coming in with a 17-11 overall record and 6-8 league mark.
First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Hawes Park in Redwood City.
