Softball CIF Three-Peat

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With the same outright dominance they have shown all year, the girls softball team added another CIF title to their legacy, making it a three-peat of CIF glory.

On May 30, the number one ranked Lady Sundevils came back to defeat Steele Canyon 8-2. The star of the game was senior Maggie Doremus, who went a flawless 4-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. She also had a knack for thievery, stealing four bases in the game.

The team, as a whole, stole seven bags. Juniors Alix Johnson ranked up two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base, and Ashley Romano flourished in driving home base runners, delivering three RBI’s in the game. Sophomore Breana Williams survived a shaky first inning in which she walked three batters and allowed two runs. Fortunately, she ended up pitching a complete game, striking out seven batters, and allowing only two hits.

Williams believed the team’s broad camaraderie and softball aptitude gave them a huge edge on the opposition throughout the course of the playoffs.

“Our togetherness was key,” Williams said. “We know how to pick each other up and from top to bottom, we were stacked with talent this season.”

The girls lost their first playoff match to Westview, 2-1, on May 23. But, with the new double-elimination format, the girls were able to take the harder route and still manage to win the title, rather than being eliminated. Senior Vanessa Currie was disappointed that they lost, but knew the team had it in themselves to come back and win.

“It sucked to lose to WV in the opening playoff game because we absolutely killed them in leagues and lost when it counted,”
Currie said. “But honestly, we knew we could be the come back kids and it forced us to work harder the rest of the way.”

After that game, the pitching was “lights out,” literally. They defeated Scripps Ranch 11-0 on May 26. Johnson went 3-for-3 in the game, with three runs scored, and two RBIs. Williams pitched a complete game, striking out seven batters.

The next day, the team defeated Bonita Vista in a tight pitchers’ duel, 2-0. The game was scoreless until the sixth inning when Currie and junior Kellie Fox drove in the only two runs in the game. Williams survived a couple of jams and picked up another win in a seven-inning complete game performance.

On May 28, the girls defeated Hilltop 4-0. Fox and Romano both had multiple hit games as the team overcame three errors on the field for a quarterfinal win. This game marked the third consecutive game in which Williams did not allow a run.

During their semifinal game against West Hills that same night, the girls came back from being down early to prevail 4-2. Fox went 3-for-4 with a double, and two RBI’s.

The team’s “small ball” strategy of getting runners into scoring position, shutout pitching, and timely hitting were key factor in attaining their third straight championship.

Currie believes this championship was sweet as well, just in a different way.

“The first CIF title was history making. The second title was to prove to ourselves and everyone else that we could repeat. And the third title just solidified our mark around here.”

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