SOUTHERN SECTION 5-A DIVISION SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP : Marina Edges Newbury Park in 9th : Panthers: Unearned run allows Vikings to post a 1-0 victory.

Marina High scored a run on an error in the bottom of the ninth to post a 1-0 victory over Newbury Park in the Southern Section 5-A softball championship game at Mayfair Park in Lakewood on Saturday night.

Marina catcher Christa Yorke led off the ninth with a single, went to second on a ground out and took third on a wild pitch. Janet Miyahara then hit a shot to center fielder Erin Mutch, who dropped the ball, allowing Yorke to score.

Miyahara (16-1) picked up the win for the Vikings (28-5). Newbury Park ends the season at 24-8.

Outstanding defensive plays kept the game scoreless until the ninth.

With a runner at second in the fifth, Marina second baseman Julie Muche made a running backhand stab to rob Lynn Anderson of a hit. Miyahara then came on in relief to strike out Mutch to end the threat.

Marina came right back in the sixth. Annie Presutti led off with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Kari Grandstaff. Grandstaff advanced to third on consecutive sacrifice bunts, bringing up Becky Tackett. Tackett made solid contact, but Melody Bolger, the second baseman, angled backward at full speed to snag the ball.

Marina thought it had scored in the bottom of the second.

Becky Toler hit a one-out single and an out later, Julie Luft chopped a ball up the third-base line. The ball appeared to bounce off the third baseman’s glove and off toward the Marina dugout.

Toler sprinted home, sliding into the catcher as the throw arrived. But the plate umpire had signaled a foul ball.

“I thought Newbury Park played wonderfully,” Marina Coach Susie Calderon said. “They came out and executed. (Lea) Lopez pitched a wonderful ballgame. She kept my leadoff batters off base so I have to give her credit.”