Saro Sarkisian
TUJUNGA -- It took 11 innings and an unlikely error, but the Verdugo
Hills softball team won its first-round playoff game.
The Dons defeated South Gate, 1-0, at home, in the L.A. City Section
Championship Bracket playoffs, as a pitching duel finished not quite the
way most expected.
Don starting pitcher Danielle Burch did not allow a hit in the first
seven innings, but Verdugo Hills' offense did not score a run -- leaving
10 runners on base during that stretch -- to send the game into extra
innings.
"We just couldn't get our hits together, as we had hits here and
there, but never where they should have been," Burch said. "I never let
it bother me, because I knew our defense was very, very strong."
Rams' (14-6-1) starting pitcher Jessica Miranda went the distance,
giving up 11 hits and one run, which was scored in the bottom of the 11th
inning, in an unlikely situation.
The Dons (24-3-1) loaded the bases with catcher Crystal Dingman up at
bat, who nailed a fly ball to Ram left fielder Elizabeth Sanchez, as she
caught the ball and launched it home to try and cut down the potential
winning run.
Nikkysha Garcia tagged from third base and tried to score, but halfway
home, Ram catcher Marlene Juarez already had the ball and Garcia was
caught in a rundown.
Garcia appeared as if she was going to be picked off, but Ram third
baseman Denise Vargas threw the ball over Juarez's head , as Garcia dove
in for the winning run.
"I was just trying to listen to my coach, then he didn't say anything,
so I just went to home and dove in, just in case," Garcia said.
Jennifer Lombardo, Regina Sisk and Dingman had two hits a piece for
Verdugo Hills.
"We're not striking out a lot, but just need to make solid contact and
hit the ball hard on the ground," Don Coach Darren FitzGerald said.
The Rams' Melissa Garcia hit a double and Miranda had a base hit.
"The girls came out and battled, battled and battled, as Danielle
pitched an awesome game," FitzGerald said. "We got a little lucky on the
last play, but I don't take anything away from South Gate, they are a
very strong team."
The Dons will play at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at home against the winner of
Eagle Rock and Crenshaw.
Eagle Rock defeated the Dons last year in the first round.
BOX SCORE
South Gate*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*--*0*2*3
Verdugo Hills*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*1*--*1*11*2
South Gate*IP*R*ER*H*BB*K
Miranda*11*1*0*11*5*2
Verdugo Hills*IP*ER*R*H*BB*K
Burch*11*0*0*2*4*12
WP-Burch (11-1-1).
LP-Miranda (14-2-1).
2B: SG-Garcia.
SB: SG-Loza, Miranda; VH-Hovestreydt 2, Dingman, Meza, Sisk.
