SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS : 3-A : Flores’ One-Hitter Leads Sunny Hills

Even before the high school softball season began, Sunny Hills Coach Cathy Williams had only one goal in mind: Win the 3-A championship.

On Tuesday, her Lancers moved one step closer to achieving that goal as Sunny Hills defeated Charter Oak, 6-0, in a Southern Section semifinal at Cal State Fullerton.

Sunny Hills (26-6) advances to the final on Friday night against Diamond Bar at Mayfair Park in Lakewood.

“We were confident going into the Charter Oak game,” said Williams. “There is not a weak spot in our lineup and I feel we are capable of winning this title no matter who we play.”

The Lancers, the Freeway League champions, received another standout effort from pitcher Ruby Flores. Flores allowed only one hit over seven innings while striking out 11. Flores (17-2) has allowed only three hits in four playoff games--three one-hitters and a no-hitter against Villa Park.

The Lancers scored two runs in the third inning and four in the fifth. They got 13 hits off losing pitcher Caryn Askey (15-2).

Sunny Hills’ Debbie Tateyama had four hits and scored twice. Teammate Terri Van Sickle added two hits, including a two-run double in the fifth.

Charter Oak, the Sierra League champion, finished the season 26-3. Charter Oak’s only hit was a sixth-inning single by Tina Stach.