SOUTHERN SECTION 4-A SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS : Brundage Helps Irvine Beat Fontana and Collect Its Bet

Jennifer Brundage of Irvine High School helped her softball team win a bet with a 2-0 victory over Fontana in the semifinals of the Southern Section 4-A playoffs Tuesday at Alton Park.

Bob Venable, an Irvine assistant coach and former head coach, promised the Vaquero players that he would shave his 10-year-old beard if they reached the title game. Venable said he will make good on his promise Saturday, the day after Irvine (24-3) meets Foothill (24-2) at 8 p.m. at Mayfair Park in Lakewood.

“I thought it was a good motivational tactic,” Venable said. “But I don’t think they needed any incentive.”

It didn’t appear so, as Brundage (20-2) limited Fontana to two hits, walked one and struck out five to lead the Vaqueros to their first championship final. Brundage also picked up her 11th shutout of the season.

Irvine, the fourth-seeded team and South Coast League champion, has allowed only one run in four playoff games. Fontana, the Citrus Belt League champion, finishes 16-8.

Before Tuesday’s game, Irvine Coach Lisa Limp said she told her team that Fontana tended to sit back and hit.

“We were prepared because we knew they didn’t have any slap-hitting or bunting,” Limp said.

In the second, Irvine loaded the bases with one out, but Diana Soto popped to first and sophomore Alleah Poulson flied to left.

Irvine scored in the third. Angela Wolf led off with a single, went to second on a passed ball and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by Brandi Armstrong. Then Fontana catcher Markell Magana overthrew her pitcher and Wolf, went two for three, scored.

Irvine scored again in the fifth. Armstrong reached on a fielder’s choice and went to second on a single by Brundage. Then Fontana left fielder Darlene Hernandez dropped Karissa Meith’s fly ball and Armstrong scored from second.