Community College Roundup : Johnson’s Single Gives Fullerton a 3-2 Victory

Kelli Johnson missed her first two opportunities to win Wednesday’s game, but then came through with an RBI single in the seventh inning to give Fullerton College a 3-2 victory over Bakersfield in the first round the Southern California women’s softball regionals at Fullerton.

Dianna Olea opened the seventh with a bunt single, was sacrificed to second by Debbie Wagner and moved to third on a wild pitch. Kelly Hilliard walked to bring up Johnson.

Johnson missed a squeeze attempt, but Olea escaped the rundown and returned to third. Then Johnson hit a foul pop fly that was dropped by Bakersfield first baseman Dalene Sarret for an error. Given her third chance, she singled home the winning run.

Fullerton pitcher Kristin Jacobs (29-7) pitched a no-hitter but was the victim of poor defense in the seventh. She had a perfect game for 6 1/3 innings before a batter reached first on an error by first baseman Stephanie Fleischaker. The next batter hit a grounder to third baseman Pita Licon, who tried for the force at second but threw the ball into right center, allowing both runners to score.

Fullerton had scored twice in the fourth for a 2-0 lead. Fleischaker singled, Linda Thorud walked and both scored when a fly ball hit by Jacobs was dropped.

Fullerton (34-10) advances to play host to Southwestern in the second round’s best two-out-of-three series Saturday and Sunday. Southwestern (19-15) defeated Saddleback, 2-0, Wednesday. Bakersfield ends 23-10 and Saddleback 23-16.

In other first-round games:

Golden West 5, Antelope Valley 1 (19 innings)--Lisa Kaufman allowed three hits, had 16 strikeouts and surrendered no walks over 19 innings for visiting Golden West (18-17). Liberty Brewster’s three-run double broke a 1-1 tie in the 19th. Antelope Valley finishes 26-5.

Cypress 3, Pasadena 2--Host Cypress scored a run in the sixth to tie it, 2-2, and one in the seventh with two outs to win.

Rose Ferrante doubled down the right-field line with two outs in the seventh. Teresa Anderson then singled off the glove of Pasadena shortstop Michele Vagas, allowing Ferrante to score the winning run.

In the sixth, Sally Dugas singled with two outs to score Val Sucatre, who had reached on a fielder’s choice for Cypress (32-12). Colleen Moore allowed three hits and had three strikeouts for the victory. Pasadena finishes 17-20. Cypress plays at San Diego Mesa Saturday and Sunday in the second round.

In the Southern California men’s team tennis finals:

Santa Barbara 5 1/2, Saddleback 1/2--Ed Peragrino split his two sets, 6-4, 6-7, for Saddleback, but the match was called after singles play because Santa Barbara had won the other five singles matches at Mt. San Antonio College.