Moorpark Splits Pair in Softball Playoffs

After 12 1/2 scoreless innings, something had to give.

That something turned out to be Moorpark College in the second round of the state junior college softball playoffs Friday.

Jodi Williams singled to score Kim Keen with two out in the bottom of the 13th inning to lift Palomar to a 1-0 victory over Moorpark.

Williams’ hit ended a courageous pitching effort from sophomore right-hander Rosa Jimenez, who went the distance, allowing seven hits.

Moorpark, which defeated West Valley, 9-6, in the first round, will play today at 1 p.m. against the winner of a morning game between San Mateo and Foothill. Palomar advanced to a semifinal game against Fullerton tonight at 6.

Keen drew a two-out walk to begin the winning rally. Jessica Camacho doubled Keen to third and Williams followed with the game-winning hit.

Jimenez worked out of trouble in the sixth and seventh innings to keep Moorpark alive.

Palomar had two runners on with one out in the sixth before Jimenez (6-4) ended the threat by inducing a pair of infield outs.

In the seventh, Palomar loaded the bases with two out before Jimenez got Christie Westerlund to fly out to end the inning.

In the opener, De Dow pitched a four-hitter as Moorpark got past West Valley.

Dow’s complete-game victory gave her school records for wins in a season (28) and a career (46).

This victory did not come easily, however. Moorpark committed five errors and had to overcome a case of nerves.

“This was a very confusing game,” Thurston said. “There were a lot of uncharacteristic mental errors by both teams and De seemed like she was a little off.

“Let’s just call it a case of first-game jitters.”

Jimenez had three hits, including two run-scoring singles, to lead Moorpark’s 10-hit attack. Jimenez also scored Moorpark’s first run in the second after slapping a bloop single to center and coming home on Jamie McDaniel’s single to left. Kelly Kauffman singled to left to knock in McDaniel to give Moorpark a 2-0 lead.

West Valley scored three unearned runs in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. Kim Ford knocked in two runs when her single to center field got past Jimenez for an error.

Moorpark rallied for five runs in the fifth to take a 7-3 lead. Rustie Stevens and Jimenez hit run-scoring singles and Moorpark took advantage of three Viking errors for five runs.

The Lady Raiders added two runs in the sixth and held on to advance to the second round.

Dow (28-7) allowed four hits and struck out three.