Garden Grove’s Smith Hurls 10-Inning Shutout

Savanna High School pitcher Karrie Swartz was unbeatable through nine innings Friday against Garden Grove.

But Garden Grove’s Stephanie Smith was unbeatable through 10 innings, giving the Argonauts a 3-0 victory in the Southern Section 4-A quarterfinals at Savanna. Garden Grove advanced to Tuesday’s semifinal against Pacifica.

Smith, the Orange County strikeout leader, allowed four hits, struck out 10 and walked one in 10 innings. Smith said she wasn’t tired in the late innings.

Earlier this season, she pitched 20 innings in a 1-1 tie with Kennedy.

“I felt tired at the end of that game (against Kennedy),” Smith said. “I think, compared to that, this (game against Savanna) was nothing.”

Garden Grove Coach Paula Cervantes said Smith is “a very strong pitcher.”

“They call her a workhorse,” Cervantes said. “She’s great. But she’s a thoroughbred all the way.” Swartz gave up only four hits in the first nine innings, maintaining a 0-0 tie.

But then Swartz began to wear down. With one out, she gave up consecutive walks to Smith and Kelly White. Michelle Cash then bounced an infield hit between home plate and the pitcher’s mound to load the bases. Swartz retired one more hitter before facing her last batter, Cari White, who walked to drive in the winning run.

Leigh Sager then came in for Savanna and gave up a two-run single to Garden Grove designated hitter Carol Blackman.

Savanna Coach John Cortez said Swartz had never had to pitch for 10 consecutive innings before.

Swartz survived an early threat when Smith, leading off in the first inning, reached third base on a fly ball that was dropped in right field. White followed with a single, but neither she nor Smith scored as the next batter popped up and the following two grounded out.

“I think they maybe could have had a chance going in that first inning,” Cervantes said. “But (they were) a little cautious running and anxious in their hitting.”

Smith, who brought her season strikeout total to 301, said some of her pitches weren’t working very well.

“My drop wasn’t working so great and it was kind of hard because they weren’t exactly going for my rise,” she said. “So, I kind of had to make it work. . . . I think my curve worked the best today.”

Smith, a senior, said she plans to play college softball at the University of New Mexico.

Smith has figured in every decision for Garden Grove (24-4-1).

“In seven years we’ve made it six times to the quarterfinals or better,” Cervantes said. “This is always the tough one for us and I feel good. We’re going to play this hard against Pacifica and we’re ready to go.”

Savanna finished its season at 21-8.