Dos Pueblos softball clinched a spot in the CIF-SS Div. 3 playoffs with a 4-0 victory over Ventura on Senior Day on Wednesday at Okinaka Field.
The Chargers celebrated the senior class of Georgia Wilson, Katelyn Lisi, Rylee Cathcart and Eleanor Lemon in pregame ceremonies.
“I’m really happy for the seniors today, getting a win is a great way to celebrate,” Dos Pueblos coach Mike Gerken said. “Georgia, Katelyn, Rylee and Eleanor have all been such great members of our team and great ambassadors for our program.”
The Cougars loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning, but Wilson worked her way out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a comebacker to finish off the frame.
From there, Wilson settled in and carved through the Ventura offense en route to the shutout.
Dos Pueblos took advantage of a Cougar error to score a run in the bottom of the first and Cathcart celebrated her Senior Day with her first career home run in the second to put her team up 2-0.
“The team was so excited for Rylee to go deep for her first high school homer,” Gerken said.
In the third inning, Wilson drove in Kacey Hurley on a groundout to extend the lead to 3-0. The final run of the game came in the fifth when Kaitlyn Ashby scored Hurley, who tripled earlier in the inning.
“We are going to try to keep the season for these players as long as we can,” Gerken said of clinching a playoff spot.
The Chargers are now 10-8 overall and hold an 8-3 record against league opponents.
San Marcos 8, Buena 3
The Royals also earned a playoff berth with a comeback victory over Buena on Wednesday. They will compete in the CIF-SS Div. 4 bracket.
“It was a true team win, I’m really proud of everyone’s effort, determination and energy today,” San Marcos coach Emily Dietz said.
After a scoreless first inning, Caitlyn Early roped a solo homer in the bottom of the second to give the Royals the first lead of the day.
However, Buena responded with three runs in the third inning to grab the advantage. One inning later, San Marcos got one run back to bring the score to 3-2.
Following the second straight scoreless frame by Royals pitcher Lucy Dessert, the San Marcos offense woke up and piled on four runs in the fifth inning to regain the lead.
The big fifth frame was powered by a two-run blast off the bat of Solana Sandoval and a two-RBI double courtesy of Charlotte Hastings.
San Marcos had total control from there as Dessert fired two more scoreless innings and the offense tacked on two more runs in the sixth to earn the win.
Sandoval led the offense with a 2-for-4 day that included three RBIs. Early, Isa Malarkey and Emma Foster each had two hits as well while Kamilah Morales scored twice.
Dessert tossed a complete game, allowing zero earned runs and striking out six batters.
The Royals (13-5, 8-3 Channel League) will be on the road against Buena on Friday.
Carpinteria 9, Hueneme 6
The Warriors picked up a league win over Hueneme on Wednesday.
Carpinteria took their first lead of the game in the third thanks to triples by Amarisse Camargo and Cecelia Lemus and an RBI sacrifice fly from Alexiana Jaimes.
The big offensive inning for the Warriors came in the sixth, where they plated five runs. Savannah Cardenas drove in two of those runs with a double and Camargo roped a two-run triple that allowed Carpinteria to pull away.
“Our young players stepped up big time today,” Warriors coach Matt Mora said. “They really carried us offensively and defensively. With three of our four top hitters having an off day at the plate, we were still able to put runs on the board.”
Ashlee Mora earned the win for the Warriors, allowing four earned runs over seven innings of work.
“Being the only pitcher, it is really tough playing a back-to-back,” Matt Mora said. “Ashlee did a great job today commanding the strike zone and producing a lot of pop flies that led to outs.”
Rio Mesa 22, Santa Barbara 5
The Dons fell to a strong Rio Mesa team on the road on Wednesday.
Alleya Zaragoza had a strong day at the plate for Santa Barbara High, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Ava Karman and Laila Hernandez each had two hits and scored twice, while Karman drove in a pair as well.
Alina Magdaleno got the start and tossed three innings, also contributing with a double, an RBI and a run scored at the plate. Daylon Donati also tallied a hit and an RBI.
Behind the plate, Amanda Holguin turned in a solid performance.
The Dons will host Pacifica on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
