MidValleySports.Com

Annie Dipillo slides at home against Camarillo. (Photo by Anne Cypress)

(Irvine) – A costly substitution, missed opportunities, and timely hitting by Camarillo upended La Mirada’s magical run by dropping the CIF-SS Division 2 final, 5-1.

The Matadores missed golden opportunities with the bases loaded in the second and sixth inning. The costliest error came from the dugout during a substitution by La Mirada head coach Richard Trujillo. As Ana Pedroza came on to pitch for Jenevive Rios, she replaced Mylee Macahilig in the batting order and Rochelle Sablay should have stayed in the DP position during the player change.

Instead with the Matadores beginning a comeback in the sixth inning, the Scorpions dodged a big bullet and were able to survive by just giving up one run in the inning.

It all started with Amber Hickman leading off the inning with an error and Annie Dipillo doubled home Hickman with no outs for the only run of the game for La Mirada. Then Pedroza singled to score Dipillo before Camarillo head coach Jack Willard came out to inform the umpires of the illegal substitution. Dipillo ended up being sent back after the batter was out of order. After the delay, Sarah Shadinger walked Lindsey Cole to give the Matadores first and second. Mercedes Gasparovic reached on a fielder’s choice after a hot shot was stabbed by the third baseman who stepped on the bag at third for the second out. Both Cole and Gasparovic advanced on a throwing error by the third baseman who attempted a double play. After Becca Rice walked to load the bases, Pedroza came up and grounded out for the final out of the inning.

Lisa Perez tries to block the plate against Camarillo. (Photo by Anne Cypress)

The Scorpions got on the board in the second on a 2-2 pitch by Hickman. Bianca Noriega fought off two-straight pitches before blasting a shot to deep centerfield.

Camarillo blew the game open in the fifth inning with two outs.

With Hayley Chamberlain at second, Jenna King’s grounder found a way through the infield to score Chamberlain. King stole second and scored on Shelbie Franc’s single.

While the Scorpions were getting on base at will, Shadinger found ways to stymie La Mirada’s offense by giving up ground ball outs or infield pop-ups to secure the win.