Southern Section Softball Playoffs : Errors Derail Thousand Oaks in Semifinals

Junior right-hander Alicia Zinner pitched a one-hitter, but Thousand Oaks High committed three errors in the sixth inning and dropped a 2-0 decision to Santa Maria St. Joseph in a Southern Section 5-A Division softball playoff semifinal Tuesday.

Suzzanne Pickett and Michelle Ourque reached base on errors in the sixth and scored when Jenny Garcia’s infield popup was dropped.

Zinner (20-5) surrendered a leadoff single in the first, yielded three walks and struck out six in pitching a complete game for the Lancers (25-6).

“The first inning was really tough,� Zinner said. “I was so nervous and it (the hit) just made it even worse.�

Thousand Oaks was limited to singles by Jamie Heggen, Tricia Gregoire and Phronsie Franco.

3-A DIVISION

Covina 7, Saugus 2--Brandy Rico’s two-run home run was all Saugus mustered in a semifinal game at Northview High in Covina.

Covina (25-0-1) scored four runs on five hits off Cathy Lewis (20-8) in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead.

2-A DIVISION

Santa Fe 1, Notre Dame 0--Junior right-hander Becca Berline of Notre Dame took a one-hitter into the seventh, but host Santa Fe surged for the winning run on two singles and a bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the semifinal game.

Berline (17-9) struck out five and did not allow a walk. The Knights finished 17-10.

1-A DIVISION

Agoura 10, Paraclete 3--Sophomore right-hander Melissa Thatcher pitched a four-hitter and struck out four and Jill Hartwig singled in three runs in the fifth inning as Agoura advanced in a semifinal playoff in Lancaster.

Agoura will play Big Bear, a 5-1 winner over St. Bonaventure, in the championship game at Mayfair Park in Lakewood on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Wendy Baertschiger had three hits to lead Agoura (22-2), which has won 19 consecutive games.