State Community College Softball Tournament : Saddleback Wins, 2-1, to Capture Title : Fill-In Players Lead Gauchos to Victory Over Sacramento City

Saddleback College catcher Debbie Hartwig lay sprawled in the dirt near home plate after she was on the receiving end of a collision in the first inning of the championship game of the California community college softball tournament at Palomar College.

As Hartwig was helped off the field with an injured knee, the state title chances of a Saddleback team short on depth seemed to go with her.

But the Gauchos received good performances from fill-in players, and Saddleback rallied for a 2-1 victory over Sacramento City College to finish undefeated in the double-elimination tournament.

With Hartwig out, Saddleback Coach Pete Morris had to move designated hitter Kelly Decker behind the plate and part-time player Stacy Schmitt to designated hitter.

Decker, who had caught only once this season, performed admirably, and Schmitt delivered a single in her first at-bat that set up Saddleback’s two runs.

“It just shows that anyone can contribute,” Morris said. “You don’t have to be the MVP of the tournament.”

Sacramento City (38-11) scored its run in the first inning when designated hitter Victoria Ekberg singled with one out and was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Lisa Carpenter.

Ekberg stole third, and Hartwig’s throw went into left field. Hartwig tried to block the plate and was leveled by Ekberg, who scored on the play.

Saddleback, however, rallied in the bottom of the inning.

The Gauchos put runners on first and second with no out when Kelli Thomas walked and a fielding error by Panther first baseman Maggie Sekul allowed Lori Methot to reach first.

Schmitt, in her first at-bat of the tournament, hit a bloop single to left field that loaded the bases with.

“It was real nerve-racking,” Schmitt said. “But I said, ‘Stacy, dig deep inside and go for it.’ I’m just glad I did it when it counted.”

Decker followed with a ground-ball out that tied the score and moved runners to second and third. Shortstop Dina Graham promptly drove a line-drive single to left, scoring Methot and giving Saddleback all the runs it would need.

Patty Taylor, named the tournament’s outstanding pitcher, held Sacramento City to three hits and ended the game by striking out Sekul.

Sacramento City reached the final by eliminating Rancho Santiago, 1-0, in nine innings. It was the first time a Northern California team had reached the final since the Panthers did it in 1983.

That loss prevented Rancho Santiago, the two-time defending champion, from becoming the first team to win three state titles, and it put a damper on Coach Jim Reach’s final game. Reach is retiring this season after leading Rancho Santiago (35-11) to two state titles and an unprecedented three Southern California Regional titles in six years as coach.

“We were emotionally drained,” Reach said after the loss. “I think everyone cried, including myself. There’s always a hurt when you lose, but it’s not as bad when you have a team as close as this one.

“Now I’m going fishing.”

All-Tournament Team Pitchers--Joyce Lyman (Rancho Santiago), Charlene Manley (Sacramento City); infielders--Tricia Hanson (San Joaquin Delta), Dina Graham (Saddleback), Lori Methot (Saddleback), Shelly Suwa (Sacramento City); designated player--Kelly Decker (Saddleback); catchers--Debbie Hartwig (Saddleback), Carri Hutchison (San Joaquin Delta); outfielders--Marielle Vaughn (Sacramento City), Margie McCune (Sacramento City); Sandy Ortiz (Rancho Santiago); utility--Shannon Padovan (Sacramento City).

Most Valuable Player--Mindy Garcia (Sacramento City); best hitter--Debbie Kerr (Rancho Santiago); most valuable pitcher--Patty Taylor (Saddleback).