LC's Aubri Thompson makes a valiant effort to beat the throw to first. (Photo by Anne Cypress)
(La Canada) – Early jitters didn’t derail La Canada’s run through the quarterfinals with an 8-1 win over Katella to advance to the “final four” of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs.
Lauren O’Leary’s 35-inning scoreless streak was snapped in the first inning before settling down and shutting down the Knights by scattering six hits while striking out 10 batters.
After spotting Katella a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Spartans managed to load the bases in the first and second innings to put pressure on Knights pitcher Heather Salisbury. Salisbury worked her way out of the jam in the first by getting Lauren Cox to ground out to second.
Salisbury wasn’t so lucky in the second inning.
After walking Shirley Drange, Selina Mohr advanced Drange with a slap-bunt to third which was misplayed that allowed both players to advance. With runners on first and second Ogden sacrificed Mohr and Drange to second and third. After Anna Edwards walked on four-straight pitches, Kelsey Drange blooped a single to score Mohr for the tying run. Catherine Horner worked herself on with a walk to load the bases again in the inning. Megan Siepler cleared the bases with a double to give La Canada a 5-1 lead.
The Knights only other threat in the game came in the third inning when Lisa Luna and Erika Garcia each reached base. O’Leary induced a ground ball from Melissa Zuniga that Edwards scooped up and threw to Aubri Thompson for the first out in the inning. Melissa Biddle lined back to O’Leary who made the catch and doubled up Zuniga for the third out inning.
O’Leary cruised through the remainder of the game striking out five of the last seven batters she faced and not allowing a runner to reach second base.
While O’Leary shut down Katella, the Spartan offense continued to score runs to put the game away in the fourth and fifth inning.
Edwards scored her second run of the game in the fourth inning after being walked. Siepler flied out to center to score Edwards after she worked her way around to third.
Siepler scored the final run of the game after Thompson singled up the middle.
Kelsey Drange led the team with a 2-for-3 performance and a RBI, Siepler finished with four RBI’s.
La Canada now faces South El Monte in the semifinals. The game will be played at La Canada.
LC's Selina Mohr beats the throw home. (Photo by Anne Cypress)
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