It Took 26 Innings, but Pacifica Advances in Softball

After playing more than 20 innings of scoreless softball Thursday, Pacifica and Cerritos continued their Division 5-A first-round playoff game Tuesday at Pacifica and Amber Barazsu finally scored on Kristina Carlson’s infield single in the bottom of the 26th to give the Mariners a 1-0 victory.

Pacifica (20-5) advances to the quarterfinals and plays host to top-seeded Mater Dei Thursday. Cerritos finishes 17-10-1.

Mariner pitcher Jennifer Surface pitched a complete game for the victory, improving to 18-5.

Susan Denny led off the bottom of the 26th for Pacifica with a single to left, then Barazsu reached first on an error.

Kim Deacon grounded into a fielder’s choice, forcing Denny at third, then Deacon and Barazsu advanced to second and third while Surface struck out on a passed ball and was thrown out at first.

Carlson followed by bouncing a ground ball to deep short, then beat the throw to first for the game-winning single.