SOFTBALL
Dos Pueblos Blanked by Oaks Christian in Best of West Tourney Final; San Marcos Splits Final 2 Games
By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor | @NoozhawkSports April 23, 2022
The Dos Pueblos offense unloaded on Huntington Beach in the Best of the West softball tournament semifinals before getting blanked by powerful Oaks Christian in the championship game on Saturday in Santa Maria.
Lacy Spear and Bella Nuño each hit a pair of doubles to drive in runs, powering the Chargers to a 7-2 victory over Huntington Beach.
Dos Pueblos played its third error-free game in a row. Trisha Lo made a diving catch in the sixth inning to prevent a run from scoring and the Chargers ended the game on a double play, as Jessica Reveles caught a line drive and doubled-up a runner at first base.
In the final, Oaks Christian’s strong pitching stymied the DP offense, holding the Chargers to just two hits in an 8-0 win. The Lions banged out 14 hits.
The No. 1-ranked team in CIF-SS Division 1 improved to 26-0.
“This was a great tournament for us,” said DP coach Mike Gerken. “We got three wins versus high quality opponents and programs.
“Georgia Wilson was an absolute workhorse for us, going 26 innings. Lacy Spear had a particularly great day on offense. The defense is the best I’ve seen it, turning four double plays, and we continue have quality at-bats up and down the line up. I’m really proud of how we competed today, even in the loss to Oaks Christian we showed a lot of mettle. They just had too many weapons for us.”
Dos Pueblos is 19-5 on the season.
San Marcos Goes 1-1 on Final Day
Gracie Verdugo belted two home runs and drove in three runs for San Marcos in a 5-3 loss against Stockdale in its final game of the Best of the West Tournament. The Royals earlier defeated Alemany, 4-3
Verdugo’s first homer was a monster solo shot down the right-field line in the second inning.
“It had everyone holding their breath as it hit a few feet fair at least 40 feet past the right-field fence,” said coach Jeff Swann.
Her second homer was a two-run blast to center in the fourth inning that drove in Caitlyn Early.
Early continued her torrid hitting, going 3 for 3 with two doubles. Emma Foster added two hits.
Down 3-2 against Alemany, San Marcos scored two runs in the bottom of the fith inning, and pitcher Kate Guerra made the one-run lead stand up for the final two innings.
Emma Foster led off the fifth with a single, Gigi Gritt put down a perfect sacrifice bunt and Foster took third base, which was left unattended. Early singled to score Foster. Bella Cruz provided the key hit with two outs, driving in Early for a 4-3 lead.
Early went 3 for 3 with two RBI and Foster battted 2-3 and scored twice.
Guerra, who relieved Gritt on the mound in the fourth, allowed just two hits and earned the victory.
San Marcos (13-13 overall) completes the regular season with two games against Lompoc. The games (Monday at San Marcos and Wednesday at Lompoc) will determine second place in the Channel League.