Softball: Record-setting performances during City semifinals

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Two record-breaking performers were on display at South Gate Park in Monday’s City Section semifinals, and both continued their revisions of the record book.

Alia Williams went two for four, including an run-scoring triple and a two-run home run, in Crenshaw’s 8-1 Invitational semifinal victory over Verdugo Hills. The home run, her 19th of the season, set a state record.

But that record may not last very long. Williams set a state record when she hit her 18th of the season in Crenshaw’s regular-season finale against Jefferson, but Baillie Kirker of Crescenta Valley hit her 18th of the season in the Falcons’ 12-1 opening-round Southern Section-Toyota playoff victory over Hemet Friday, tying the record at that time.

And while Williams has one game left -- the May 28 Invitational title game against Lincoln -- Kirker could have as many as four games remaining if unbeaten Crescenta Valley continues its Division III playoff run to the title game. (Another contender, Trina Harrison of Oceanside, finished the season with 17 home runs as her team failed to make the San Diego Section playoffs).

In the circle, Taylor Petty of San Pedro, pictured from another game, hit a couple of benchmarks in the Pirates’ 2-0 Championship Division semifinal victory over Granada Hills.

Petty entered with 999 career strikeouts and became only the second pitcher in City history to record 1,000 career strikeouts after adding 12 Highlanders to her list Monday. Ta’Tyana McElroy of Washington holds the City record with 1,086 strikeouts from 2000-03. Additionally, Petty’s 24th win of the year is a school record, topping Ashley Esparza’s mark of 23.

-- Eric Maddy

-- Image by Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times