Hemet falls to Rosary Academy in Division Four CIF Southern Section finals
By: Derryl Trujillo
Inland Sports Senior Writer
WP: Romero, Natalie>> CG, 5 Hits, 1 Run, 1 BB, 9 K’s
LP: Long, Kassidy>> 0.1 IP, 1 Hit, 6 Runs (2 ER), 3 BB, 0 K’s
IRVINE (Deanna Manning Stadium) – All postseason long the Hemet softball team has shown an ability to put runs on the scoreboard. Down seven runs to No. 2 Rosary Academy, that offensive prowess was tested one more time against Royals starter Natalie Romero who finally cooled down the Bulldog hitters. In a complete game she struck out nine while scattering five hits as Hemet fell 11-1 in the CIF-SS division four finals at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine Friday, June 18. It was the program’s first title game appearance since a victory in 2013 but the loss does not end their season. The Lady Bulldogs did qualify for CIF-State Southern California Regional tournament play this week.
Anahi Pintado started the scoring with a one out two RBI double to left field which made it 2-0 Royals. Hannah Hernandez had the other 2 RBI hit for Rosary Academy, a single to right field. Three other runs came across via walks and errors as the Bulldogs found themselves down a touchdown before picking up their bats. Hemet got a run back in the first as Brooklyn LaChappa walked and scored on a three base throwing error. They had an opportunity in the fifth to close the gap just a bit as Payton Priefer and Chloe Payne singled to give Hemet runners on first and second with one out. Romero got a popup and ground out to end the threat.
Bulldogs coach Jeff Galloway said in defeat “We knew that Rosary was a solid ballclub from a tough league, but I thought we’d be able to compete with them and it just didn’t go our way today. A year ago, we got off to a hot start and then got shut down. Not many folks thought we were going to make this kind of run and especially after moving to a new league. None of these seniors complained once about anything we asked of them, and they’ve set a great example for our underclassmen moving forward.”
Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.
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