Softball: Norco threatens twice but can’t put anything across

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Third-seeded (make that fourth-seeded) Norco has threatened to score in the top of the fifth and sixth innings against Hart pitcher Destiny Rodino. Stacy Larson, who reached base on a two-out fly ball to left field that was dropped, went to third base when Rodino mishandled a swinging bunt. Freshman Michelle Paul entered as a pinch-hitter and flied to center to end the inning.

In the sixth, with runners at first and second via a walk and Kim Pena’s single, Rodino got out of trouble by forcing batters to hit a pop-up to shortstop and a grounder to second base.

Going into the seventh inning, it’s still 0-0. Since giving up a leadoff hit in the fourth inning, Norco’s Gerhart has retired nine batters in a row.

-- Martin Henderson