Crescenta Valley High softball blanked by Righetti in first-round playoff contest

Less than 24 hours after celebrating its wild-card victory, the Crescenta Valley High softball team found itself on a bus for a three-hour trip north to Santa Maria on Tuesday to face off with second-seeded Righetti in a CIF Southern Section Division II first-round contest

Unfortunately for Crescenta Valley, it could only manage five hits in a season-ending 5-0 defeat.

Crescenta Valley, which opened the playoffs with a 6-3 home win against Sonora after tying for fourth with Glendale in the Pacific League, finished at 17-8. Righetti, which captured the PAC-7 League championship, improved to 24-6.

“We were able to win our wild-card game, so that’s an accomplishment,” Crescenta Valley first-year Coach John Pehar said. “We got some good experience these last two games.”

Righetti scored two runs in the first and second innings and one in the fifth to turn aside the Falcons, who received a pair of singles from sophomore Sydnee Wells. Crescenta Valley also got one hit apiece from Taylor Hill, Rachel Abboud and Melanie Abzun. All of the Falcons’ hits were singles.

Righetti held Hannah and Hailey Cookson hitless, one day after the sisters enjoyed stellar performances against Sonora.

“We hit their pitcher the first two innings, but we couldn’t convert,” Pehar said. “Hannah and Hailey hit some balls right at them.

“We just couldn’t do anything much after the first two innings. We couldn’t get that hit with runners in scoring position.”

Wells said Crescenta Valley couldn’t match Righetti offensively.

“They just have a real good team and some good hitters,” Wells said. “Still, it’s a good experience for those who will be coming back next year.

“We know there’s room for improvement.”
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Follow Charles Rich on Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich .