Live Oak secured the Blossom Valley Athletic League title in the
top Mt. Hamilton Division on Thursday with a 2-1 win over
Westmont.
Live Oak secured the Blossom Valley Athletic League title in the top Mt. Hamilton Division on Thursday with a 2-1 win over Westmont.
“We were a little on edge because we had to wait to see if Piedmont Hills had lost their game to know (if we won the title),” said Acorns coach Barry McDonnell. “(The girls) were really excited about it when we found out.”
Having played in the Tri-County Athletic League previously, this is the team’s first year in the BVAL and Live Oak had to adjust to new competition.
“All of the teams we’ve faced have had really good pitching, McDonnell said. “Every game has been close, one run games and if not, the other team has had the tying run on base in the seventh inning.”
Thursday’s game against Westmont was no different.
The Warriors started the scoring early, capitalizing on a Live Oak error in the second. But the Acorns were quick to answer, bringing two across the plate in the third inning.
With one out and a runner on first, Sarah Locarnini drilled a hard shot up the middle that was misplayed by the center fielder. Robin Nelson, who had singled, headed toward third on the misplay and the throw to try to get her was wild.
With Locarnini heading toward third, the Warriors picked up the ball and tried to throw Nelson out at home. That throw was also wild to allow Nelson to score and on the overthrow, Locarnini aggressively rounded third and raced home and beat the tag for the go-ahead run.
“We came to third and Sarah was alert enough to see the error right off the bat,” said McDonnell. “She’s a very heads up player and she scored.”
Westmont threatened to score again, but was held by key defensive plays by Live Oak, including an out at the plate with catcher Kourtney Kientzy blocking off the runner and applying the tag.
“Our infield plays softball very instinctively,” McDonnell said. “There are things you just can’t teach, it just takes experience and instinct.”
That Acorns instinct came in handy in the seventh. With two outs and a runner on second, Live Oak shortstop Taylor Sutton, fielding a ball cleanly, caught the Westmont runner rounding third and threw to third baseman Kelly McDonald.
Caught in a rundown, the Westmont runner sprinted home and McDonald made the throw to catcher Kientzy, who tagged her out before she could reach the plate.
“She’s a sophomore and she plays with a lot of maturity,” McDonnell said of Kientzy. “She stays very calm and she has a really good arm. She’s really a very alert and mature catcher for her age.”
With this win Live Oak extends its record to 10-1 in league, and 21-4 overall.
The Acorns continue the season today, facing off against host Pioneer at 3:30pm. They conclude the regular season at Mt. Pleasant at 3:30pm Wednesday and will learn of their seeding in the Central Coast Section playoffs at Sunday’s seeding meeting.
“We’re going to use these games as stepping stones to CCS,” said McDonnell. “Obviously we want the wins, but we’re also using these games a lot for preparation.”
