SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION V, VI SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS : No-Hitter Moves Valley Christian Into Second Round

Southern California Christian pitcher Candle Silva came into Tuesday’s game at Cerritos Valley Christian with seven no-hitters.

But it was Alisa Laman who pitched a no-hitter, her second of the year, to lead host Valley Christian to a 5-0 second-round victory in the the Southern Section Division V softball playoffs.

“I was really nervous before the game,” Laman said. “But I knew that I could do it and by game time I was ready.”

Valley Christian, the Olympic League champion, advanced to Thursday’s quarterfinals against Pasadena Poly, which defeated Moorpark, 4-3.

Southern California Christian’s Jessica Clarke reached base on an error in the first inning, and she was the last runner Laman allowed. She struck out 10 and improved her record to 9-3.

Silva and Laman dueled until the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Cindy Dykstra walked and Susie Schoales singled. Then Flame right fielder Jen Turner dropped a fly ball by Sarah Van Diest, allowing Dykstra and Schoales to score. Cheryl Van DeKamp then singled in Van Diest. After reaching third on Laman’s single, Van Diest scored on an error by shortstop Clarke, giving Valley Christian a 4-0 lead.

The Lady Crusaders (21-4) scored once more in the fourth when Angela Robinson walked and scored on an error by Silva.

“It was our first time in CIF,” Flame Coach El Felten said. “Our team had won only 11 games in the previous four years. This year we’ve got five freshmen who have stepped in as impact players.”

Silva (17-3) had five strikeouts. The Flames finished the season 19-3.

“We’re proud of our Arrowhead League championship,” Felten said. “And since we are losing only one senior this year, we are looking forward to another trip to the playoffs next year.”

In another Division V game:

Murrieta Valley 7, Whittier Christian 0--Debbie Goddu (10-11), who went the distance for host Whittier Christian (10-11), had seven strikeouts and no walks. Goddu, who finished with a 1.36 earned-run average, didn’t issue a walk for the 13th time this season. Heather Jordon tripled with the bases loaded in the sixth inning for Murrieta Valley (19-3).

In Division VI games:

Liberty Christian 5, Woodcrest Christian 2--Lynlee Vaccaro had one hit and two RBIs and Jenn Craven pitched a one-hitter for visiting Liberty Christian (13-5), which advanced to the quarterfinals to play Hesperia Christian, a 23-1 winner over Riverside Bethel Christian.

Temecula Linfield 4, St. Margaret’s 2--Junior Monica Arreola struck out two and held second-seeded Linfield to four hits for St. Margaret’s, which finishes the season 7-8. Linfield is 20-2.