SOUTHERN SECTION 3--A SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS : Valencia, La Mirada Tied After 23 Innings

After 4 hours, 40 minutes and 23 innings Tuesday, Valencia High School softball pitcher Michele Granger had struck out 37 of the 76 batters she faced and allowed just four hits.

But it was all for naught. The game--a Southern Section 3-A semifinal against second-seeded La Mirada at Cerritos College--was suspended at 7:40 p.m. in a scoreless tie.

The game will continue--beginning with the 24th inning--tentatively at 3 p.m. today at Cerritos College.

“All I ask is if we have to prolong it another day, God let us win it,” Debbie Fassel, Valencia coach, said.

Fassel’s prayer was in reference to the so-called jinx that has supposedly kept the Tigers from advancing past the semifinal round the past two years.

Last year, Valencia was eliminated by Diamond Bar, 1-0, after 15 innings. Until Tuesday, that 15-inning game was the longest played in Valencia softball history.

“Once we got over that hump (the 15th inning) today, I felt a lot better,” Fassel said. “I thought it might be a sign.”

Valencia had its chances. In both the 15th and 17th innings, the Tigers stranded two runners.

But La Mirada--anchored by a strong performance by junior pitcher Dena Mullins, who scattered 10 hits and struck out 24--ended Valencia’s hopes each time.

In the 15th, Amanda Chadwick hit a bloop single to left field and Valerie Finley walked. With two outs, Chadwick took third and Finley second on a wild pitch. But Danette Davis’ fly to left ended the inning.

The Tigers had an even better opportunity in the 17th.

With one out, Chadwick singled to center. Granger popped up for the second out, but Finley and Roseana Garcia walked to load the bases. But Mullins again forced Davis to fly to left to end the inning.

La Mirada’s best opportunity came in the 17th. With one out, Mullins, pinch-hitting for Christy Rhode, reached first on a throwing error. Mullins stole second and reached third on a wild pitch.

The Tigers hung on, though, as Granger struck out Rose Garces, and Davis caught Sharla Brown’s line drive to end the inning.

Neither team built enough momentum to sustain another threat until the top of the 22nd.

With one out, Finley doubled to center field and took third on a passed ball. When Roseana Garcia grounded to second, Finley didn’t attempt to score.

Fassel, who was coaching at third, explained: “The ball was hit so quickly, I think Val might’ve been dead at home. Actually, I told her, ‘Go! Go!’ but she’s a smart baserunner and she knew it was too risky.”

Finley didn’t get another chance as Davis’ line drive down the third-base line was caught almost in the dugout by third baseman Jean Mobayed.

Both Granger (22-3) and Mullins (19-2) will start today. Granger has pitched a perfect game and two 1-hitters in the playoffs. Mullins, whose earned-run average is 0.21, is a junior.