Softball: Fischer is king for Simi Valley in 1-0 victory

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Sam Fischer looked as relaxed as can be during the third inning of Tuesday’s Southern Section-Toyota Division I playoff game, standing in the batters’ box and goofing around with her bat and helmet as her teammates watched, laughing from the make-shift dugout off to the side.

But when it was time to be serious, Fischer delivered. The senior, bound for Loyola Marymount, knocked in the game’s lone run early on for Simi Valley and turned a key double play later to guide the top-seeded Pioneers to a 1-0 victory over upset-minded Trabuco Hills in a second-round game.

‘Sam is our leader for a reason,’’ Coach Russ Michael said. ‘She makes the plays we expect her to make. We know what she’s capable of and she rarely lets us down.’’

Amber Olive and Jessica Soria reached base on errors in the first inning for Simi Valley (28-0) and Fischer hit a sacrifice fly one batter later. ‘I stepped up to the plate and made sure not to force things,’’ she said. ‘I just went with the pitch.’’

She bailed starting pitcher Kelli-Jo Killingsworth out of a jam in the second inning. Ashley Putkamer led off with a single for Trabuco Hills and Julianne Mendonca was hit by a pitch. One out later, Fischer fielded a grounder at shortstop, tagged out Putkamer and tossed the ball to Tawny Reeger, forcing Mendonca out at second base.

‘I was in the right place at the right time. It was perfect positioning,’’ Fischer said. ‘That was a pivotal play. We took over all the momentum at that point. There was no more real pressure on us after that.’’

Kayla Massey did her best to keep Trabuco Hills (17-13-1) close throughout. The sophomore right-hander gave up only one hit and struck out eight through the first four innings. She finished with a two-hitter and nine strikeouts.

-- Sean Ceglinsky