PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Clark Stays Focused This Time, Throws No-Hitter for Mater Dei

This time, there was no comeback. This time, there was no need. This time, Jennifer Clark made sure.

Mater Dei, ranked third in Orange County, got a no-hit performance from its senior pitcher and scored a 5-0 South Coast League victory over host Mission Viejo (11-13, 4-3) Wednesday.

The game was a far cry from the last time the teams met, when Mater Dei (16-2, 8-0) needed four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win, 7-6.

“I was a lot more focused today than last time,” said Clark (14-1), who surrendered only three hits--all in the same inning--in the previous meeting. “I felt like I let the team down. This time I wanted to show (Mission Viejo) what I could really do, show them my potential.”

She said her level of play increased--and so did her team’s--as they prepared for the playoffs.

She retired 17 of the last 18 batters, and got 10 of her 11 strikeouts during that span. Seven Diablo batters were called out on strikes, though the final three in the seventh inning went down swinging. She walked two in getting her second no-hitter.

Clark also contributed offensively. She drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly, and another deep drive to left field--that went untouched--ruled an error by the official scorer; Clark circled the bases with the fifth-inning run.

In the South Coast League:

San Clemente 1, Capistrano Valley 0--Brittany Karlson singled home the winning run, and Nicolana Tolmasoff pitched a four-hitter with 10 strikeouts. Capistrano Valley played the game under protest after a collision at the plate in the second inning.

In the Sea View League:

Irvine 1, Santa Margarita 0--Natalie Tomoguchi singled home Monica Holstein in the second and Rebecca Smith pitched a three-hitter to earn her 12th victory for No. 5 Irvine (19-5, 10-1).

Woodbridge 7, Newport Harbor 0--Freshman Jackie Sukiasian (6-0) pitched a perfect game, striking out five, for No. 4 Woodbridge (20-5, 10-1).

Tustin 10, Corona del Mar 0 (mercy rule)--Jennifer Lopez pitched a perfect game, striking out seven, and had a two-run triple for Tustin (10-10, 6-5). Lopez has three no-hitters this season.