Edgar Melik-Stepanyan
LANCASTER -- Facing a dominant pitcher and a motivated team, the
Village Christian softball squad had little margin for error against
Alpha League rival, Paraclete High.
With a share of the league title already in their grasp, the Crusaders
played a lethargic game and their usual strong components failed them at
Jane Reynolds Park in Lancaster.
Village Christian mustered one hit, pitcher Lauren Nydam wasn't her
usual strong self, allowing five hits, and the defense had several
miscues, resulting in a 1-0 loss in the regular season finale for both
teams.
"[Lauren] was a little more soft and tentative," Crusader first-year
Coach Jana Kovar said. "The good thing about these games is it shows
where your weaknesses are."
Following the game, Village Christian (19-4, 5-1 in league) won the
coin toss and will enter the playoffs as the league's top entry and
possibly the CIF Southern Section Division V top seed.
Spirit starting pitcher Sara Gonzales (18-2) struck out four and her
defense made some critical catches late in the game, to give Paraclete
its 23rd straight league title, including a stint in the High Desert
League.
"I told my team if you give me one run, I'll hold them," said
Gonzales, who picked up the loss against Village Christian on April 26th
in an 18-inning, 1-0 marathon.
"The last game against them was a heart-breaker. My changeup was
working really good."
Paraclete shortstop Jackie Kolesar, who had a limited role in the
first meeting against Village Christian due to various illnesses,
supporting the notion that she is the best hitter on her team.
She was the only player to connect on two hits, and she scored the
lone run when Tiffany Forrest's single to center allowed Kolesar to
easily score from third.
BOX SCORE
Village Christian*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*--*0*1*1
Paraclete*0*0*0*1*0*0*x*--*1*5*2 Village Christian*IP*R*ER*H*BB*K
Nydam*6*1*1*5*1*7
Paraclete*IP*R*ER*H*BB*K
Gonzales*7*0*0*1*0*4
WP-Gonzales (18-2).
LP-Nydam (14-3).
SB: VC-Servillo.
