Dickmann, Northridge Beat Old Friend, Gain Berth in Regional Final

Pauline Madrid grew up with Cal State Northridge softball. Her father, Armando, was pitching coach for CSUN in the glory years of four-time All-American pitcher Kat Slaten.

“That was my hangout, the Northridge softball field,” Madrid said. “I was the little tag-along.”

Madrid went on to become a standout pitcher herself, first at Kennedy High and then at Pierce College. And, lo and behold, who should wind up pitching for Sacred Heart University on Saturday in a key NCAA Division II regional game against Northridge?

That’s right, Kid Kat.

And Madrid did a commendable impersonation.

She allowed five hits, pitched out of numerous jams created by her teammates and made several sparkling defensive plays.

The only thing she did not do was win.

Northridge, behind the three-hit pitching of sophomore Debbie Dickmann, defeated Sacred Heart, 1-0, in 10 innings to advance to today’s North East regional title game. Earlier Saturday, Northridge defeated Central Missouri State, 2-1.

Top-ranked Northridge will play either Sacred Heart (40-9) or Central Missouri (22-18) in the title game at 11 a.m. The University of Bridgeport (Conn.) was eliminated from the four-team, double-elimination regional after a pair of losses Saturday.

Madrid, who underwent surgery on her left knee in October, pitched against CSUN wearing a brace. She went 20 innings Saturday, winning Sacred Heart’s first game, 6-3, over Bridgeport.

Several times against Northridge, Madrid appeared on the verge of having to leave the game. She felt a pop in her knee during the seventh inning of the first game and there had been some swelling.

“It was nothing new,” she said after the Northridge game. “I’ve played with pain my whole life. I’ve had surgery on both knees.”

Northridge (51-11) had a couple chances to break the game open early. Sacred Heart committed four errors in the first three innings, but the Lady Matadors stranded six baserunners.

In the third, Northridge loaded the bases with two out, but Lisa Hall lined out and Kim Bernstein grounded out.

“For some reason I pitch better in tight situations like that,” Madrid said. “Usually I get out of situations like that.”

After working out of the third-inning jam, Madrid allowed only one hit over the next five innings.

Northridge pushed across the winning run in the 10th inning on a seeing-eye hit and an error.

Regina Lyons, who started the inning on second base in accordance with tiebreaker rules, scored the game-winner after Lesley Plank’s ground ball deflected off the glove of Sacred Heart second baseman Stacey Squires and was overrun by right fielder Kim DeCarlo.

Vicki Kennedy, Sacred Heart’s runner at second, was unable to advance in the bottom of the inning. Dickmann (22-3), retired the side on two ground balls and a line out.

Dickmann, who also was credited with CSUN’s opening win, struck out 12 against Sacred Heart without walking a batter.

“I feel I did my job,” Madrid said. “I pitched my heart out and I tried. But Debbie’s a great pitcher and they managed to push one across for her.”

Northridge Coach Gary Torgeson said Dickmann tired late in the game but “was strong when we really needed her.” She retired the last 11 batters she faced.

In the first game, Northridge made a first-inning single by Bernstein stand up. Bernstein’s hit to right-center drove home Lisa Martin and Pam Smith.

Northridge collected three hits in the first inning off pitcher Kelly Meyers of Central Missouri, but the Lady Matadors added only three more the rest of the game.

Delanee Anderson started for Northridge but gave up four hits in less than three innings and allowed the leadoff runner to reach base in each inning.

After Rhonda Ries led off the third with her second hit, Torgeson called on Dickmann, who retired the next three batters.

“The idea was to give Debbie some rest so she could come out hard in the second game, but we needed her early,” Torgeson said.

And, fortunately for Northridge, she lasted just long enough.