First published in the May 12 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy varsity softball team defeated host Walnut, 6-2, in a CIF-SS Division V second-round matchup on Tuesday.
FSHA senior captain Victoria Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. She also pitched a complete game, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and three walks with eight strikeouts.
Junior Marie Milton blasted a solo home run while senior Maddie Napierala finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Junior Meghan Garrity and sophomore Megan Milton each produced a base hit, an RBI and a run scored, senior Faith Blea tallied a base hit and a run scored, and sophomore Isabella Guerrero notched a base hit.
FSHA (18-8 overall) will visit Fillmore (13-4 overall) in a quarterfinal game on Thursday, May 12, at 3:15 p.m. If victorious, the Tologs would advance to the semifinal round and meet either Norwalk (16-7 overall) or El Toro High of Lake Forest (17-8 overall) on Saturday, May 14.
FSHA 13, SACRED HEART 0
The Tologs took care of business in their CIF first-round game by crushing visiting Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, 13-0, last Thursday.
It was another strong offensive effort by FSHA, which managed to post a crooked number in all four innings before the game was called in the fifth due to the mercy rule. The Tologs chased Sacred Heart’s starting pitcher in the bottom of the second after jumping to a 5-0 lead.
“Offensively, we got the hits when we needed to; we are a pretty good offensive team when we are focused,” head coach Kirk Nishiyama said. ”Every level we are going to get better and better teams. If we stay focused, we have a chance.”
The offense certainly has been locked in over the past five games, as FSHA has won each of those contests while outscoring opponents 55-2 over that span.
Ramirez earned the win after completing five innings while allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. She also added a pair of base hits, two RBIs and a run scored on offense. Meanwhile, Napierala collected three hits, three RBIs and a stolen base.
“Maddie is one of our best hitters,” Nishiyama said. “She’s our four-hole because she can drive in runs. We set up our lineup to get runners on base for Victoria and Maddie.”
Marie Milton registered a base hit, three runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base, Garrity went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and three RBIs, and Megan Milton produced two hits, three runs scored and a stolen base. Senior Olivia Ocon tallied a base hit, three stolen bases and two run scored, Blea had a base hit, two run scored and a stolen base, and freshman Ava Nawrocki posted a base hit, an RBI and a stolen base.
