PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Crouch Pitches Perfect Game for Marina

Marina pitcher Marcy Crouch pitched a perfect game Thursday to lead the Vikings to a 1-0 victory over Irvine in the title game of the Laguna Hills softball tournament.

The victory, which avenged a Viking loss to Irvine three years ago in the title game, took only 1 hour 20 minutes, and resembled fielding drills. Marina (5-1) got five hits off Rebecca Smith (4-2).

Crouch (2-0), who struck out seven, just finished the soccer season and has been playing softball for one week. “We’re on a (pitching) rotation,” Marina coach Shelly Luth said, “but Marcy came out and was ready to play.”

“We’ve been playing a little flat,” Luth said, “but this time it was a team effort. And of course, when you have Robyn Yorke to start you off, it really sparks the team.”

Yorke, the leadoff batter, went two for four and ignited the one-run sixth-inning.

Yorke singled to left and stole second. Becky Tackett sacrifice-bunted her to third. Designated hitter Faith Fuata hit a bouncing grounder to Smith, but Yorke dived past catcher Annette Smith to score.