Pirates Rout Chatsworth in Girls Softball Playoffs

Chatsworth High softball Coach Gary Shair had a good explanation for his team’s 12-3 loss to San Pedro in the City 4-A playoff semifinal.

“We choked,” he said after the game at South Gate Park. “It’s as simple as that. We just choked.”

And San Pedro, the Harbor League’s No. 1 team with an 18-4 record, took advantage of it.

“I think it was a combo,” said San Pedro Coach Tony Dobra. “Yes, they made key errors, but we also made key hits and had people flying between bases.”

Each team had six hits, so the difference in the game was errors--Chatsworth errors. The Chancellors (14-3) made five in the lengthy second inning (10 total) that resulted in six San Pedro runs.

Chatsworth’s nightmare started in that inning when San Pedro’s Ronnie Krill was safe at first on a throwing error by third baseman Kelly Tubin.

The next five batters got on base, but only two got hits. Senior Kim Tedesco singled to left and sophomore Chellee Bennett had a bunt single.

Everyone on base scored with two outs, and after facing eight batters senior pitcher Christina Roopenian struck out San Pedro’s Stephanie Freitas for the final out.

In the third inning the Pirates scored three runs after Kathy Eldridge smacked the ball to left center with the bases loaded. Kim Tedesco, who had walked, scored off the hit. Rebecca Alexander, who had singled on a line drive, sprinted from second and scored on a throwing error to the plate. Pitcher Meagan Moore, who had walked, followed across the plate and the Pirates had a 9-0 lead.

Chatsworth was held scoreless until the sixth when senior Dana Lewis hit an RBI single. The Chancellors scored two more in the seventh, but the Pirates had scored three in the top of that inning and had the game in a bag.

“We were really up for this game,” said Moore, who has a 10-3 record this season. “We did well because we weren’t nervous. At least I wasn’t.”

The Pirates will play El Camino High in the championship game on Wednesday at Cal State Northridge. El Camino, which beat Sylmar, 5-4, in the other semifinal, eliminated San Pedro in the semifinals last year.

Leuzinger 8, L.A. Baptist 0--In the CIF 1-A quarterfinal at Cal State Northridge, Leuzinger had no trouble with Baptist. The Olympians (19-6) had 12 hits and senior pitcher Candy Carrico struck out 15. She also went 2 for 4 at the plate with 2 RBIs and a home run in the sixth inning.

Shandelyn Williams went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs and senior catcher Alissa Williard was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs for Leuzinger.