By Derryl Trujillo —
IRVINE (Deanna Manning Stadium) – Throughout the 80’s, 90s and early ‘00s Linfield Christian was the standard in small school softball winning back-to-back titles in ‘85 & ‘86 along with championships in ‘94 and ‘01.
However, like in most small schools, talent is cyclical and after the core of Paul Perez’ 2018 D4 quarterfinal team graduated the Lions had a couple of rocky seasons winning just seven games in a two-year span.
After receiving an at-large bid into this year’s playoffs (the program’s first appearance since ‘18) the Lions took their fans on a wild ride…winning three straight one run games to reach Saturday’s final (including a win over #1 Rosemead).
This past Saturday morning, against No. 2 Capistrano Valley Christian, the Lady Lions had their opportunities to score but couldn’t convert and overcome an early deficit, falling 5-1 to the Lady Eagles. This was the Lions first trip to finals weekend since that ‘01 championship under the late Scott Raftery.
Coach Paul Perez remarked “Sometimes when the pressures on things change a bit. We answered the call every time throughout this run offensively but sometimes a run has to end and it happens this way. They battled all the way to the end. We’re in a good spot with a nice core now.”
Makalynn Eden battled valiantly in the circle against a Lady Eagles lineup that had scored thirty-seven postseason runs and held them to just five with four of those coming in the first two innings.
She said “It’s been a while since I pitched so I had to learn how to reset after every pitch and build that mental toughness again. I’m really excited for our future with such a young group.”
However, the offense just couldn’t get in gear as the Lady Lions had six hits but couldn’t come up with an RBI until it was too late. Eden had the RBI in the sixth on a double that was inches from a two-run homer. By then Linfield had squandered a bases loaded opportunity in the third with Vanessa Perez and Brooklyn Simon recording two out singles before Danica Perez struck out. They also had two on and no out in the fifth before Eagles starter Kylee Cammarato got two strikeouts and a popup to escape.
Grace Beall added “It meant a lot to get here because I didn’t expect us to even get to the playoffs let alone a final.”
With their appearance in the championship game, Linfield Christian advances to the CIF-State regional tournament which commences on May 31st.
Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.
