Southern Section Softball Playoffs : Errors Derail Thousand Oaks in Semifinals

Junior right-hander Alicia Zinner pitched a one-hitter, but Thousand Oaks High committed three errors in the sixth inning and dropped a 2-0 decision to Santa Maria St. Joseph in a Southern Section 5-A Division softball playoff semifinal Tuesday.

Suzzanne Pickett and Michelle Ourque reached base on errors in the sixth and scored when Jenny Garcia’s infield popup was dropped.

Zinner (20-5) surrendered a leadoff single in the first, yielded three walks and struck out six in pitching a complete game for the Lancers (25-6).

“The first inning was really tough,” Zinner said. “I was so nervous and it (the hit) just made it even worse.”

Thousand Oaks was limited to singles by Jamie Heggen, Tricia Gregoire and Phronsie Franco.

3-A DIVISION

Covina 7, Saugus 2--Brandy Rico’s two-run home run was all Saugus mustered in a semifinal game at Northview High in Covina.

Covina (25-0-1) scored four runs on five hits off Cathy Lewis (20-8) in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead.

2-A DIVISION

Santa Fe 1, Notre Dame 0--Junior right-hander Becca Berline of Notre Dame took a one-hitter into the seventh, but host Santa Fe surged for the winning run on two singles and a bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the semifinal game.

Berline (17-9) struck out five and did not allow a walk. The Knights finished 17-10.

1-A DIVISION

Agoura 10, Paraclete 3--Sophomore right-hander Melissa Thatcher pitched a four-hitter and struck out four and Jill Hartwig singled in three runs in the fifth inning as Agoura advanced in a semifinal playoff in Lancaster.

Agoura will play Big Bear, a 5-1 winner over St. Bonaventure, in the championship game at Mayfair Park in Lakewood on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Wendy Baertschiger had three hits to lead Agoura (22-2), which has won 19 consecutive games.