SECTION PLAYOFFS : Softball : Howard Makes Things Happen for Monte Vista

Coach Charlie Costello calls her Monte Vista’s catalyst--when she’s playing well, everything falls into place.

Kristy Howard did play well, and everything did fall into place for the Monarchs as they shut out Vista, 4-0, Thursday in the San Diego Section 3-A softball semifinals at Kit Carson Park.

Saturday in the final at Mesa Del Sol Field, Monte Vista will play Mt. Miguel, which defeated El Capitan Thursday, 6-0.

Vista made five errors, and Howard took advantage of most of them. In her role as leadoff hitter, the fourth-year starter led off the first and third innings with runs as a result of errors. Vista’s Kelli Schott (18-4) walked Howard, who then stole second. She reached third on a single by Danelle Silva and then scored on catcher Michelle Webster’s overthrow.

In the third, Howard singled, but Schott overthrew first baseman Janine Reed, who overthrew second base. By the time Vista had a firm grip on the ball, Howard was on third. With Gia Wilkerson at the plate, Howard then scored on a passed ball by Webster.

“Kristy is an aggressive softball player and has played like that all year,” Costello said.

In the fifth, Kristy’s younger sister, freshman Kelly, hit a ball down the baseline that Vista just couldn’t get its hands on. Kelly reached third, and Silva’s second RBI gave Monte Vista a 3-0 lead. Allison Brickner had the fourth RBI for Monte Vista.

Suzy Lawrence (18-1) pitched her 10th shutout, although both Costello and Lawrence agreed it wasn’t one of her best games. Lawrence said she was in bed sick Saturday, Sunday and Monday and didn’t feel very well during the five innings she pitched in Tuesday’s 8-0 quarterfinal victory over Chula Vista.

“Suzy didn’t look as fast today,” Costello said. “It was a good workout for her. She needed to throw seven innings. There were spots where she couldn’t find the plate and was inconsistent.”

“I knew I had to go out and perform today. I was satisfied with my pitching but not with my hitting,” said Lawrence, who failed to reach base.

Vista Coach Kevin Woodrow said he couldn’t take anything away from the Monarchs but that his team was at a disadvantage before taking the field. Woodrow said the game had been scheduled for 7 p.m. and that at 10 a.m. Thursday, he found out from the CIF office that it had been moved to 5.

“It changed our whole routine. I had to get girls out of classes to go home and get their equipment because we had planned to leave after school,” Woodrow said. “There was no excuse. They assumed that because Monte Vista knew at 9 a.m. Wednesday that I did.”

Each of Vista’s four losses this season were in one- or two-run decisions on one or two crucial errors, Woodrow said.

“If you make mistakes, you lose ballgames,” said Woodrow, whose team finished 18-4. “Monte Vista came out and did a great job, but my kids never gave up.”

2-A Semifinals

University 2, Escondido 1--Kelly O’Neill hit a two-run double with bases loaded in the third inning to clinch University’s victory. Viki Vechinski (12-5) pitched a one-hitter, striking out 11, for University (15-7). In Saturday’s final, University will play Grossmont, which defeated Christian, 2-0. Escondido finished 22-6.

Grossmont 2, Christian 0--Brenna Hancock allowed just one hit and Linda Sodano went two for three for Grossmont.