DIVISION II SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS : Moore’s Heroics, Ortega’s Pitching Propel La Habra

Big plays come in pairs for La Habra left-fielder Tawnya Moore.

Moments after throwing out Long Beach Wilson pinch-runner Crystal Faretta at the plate to end a Bruin threat in the sixth inning, Moore broke a scoreless tie with a leadoff home run.

Moore’s heroics propelled the Highlanders to a 2-0 triumph over Wilson Thursday at La Habra and a berth in the Division II semifinals for the second consecutive year. La Habra will play Covina Charter Oak, a 3-1 winner over La Mirada.

Wilson’s sophomore pitcher Jenine Salamun (13-6) was so frustrated after Moore’s homer, she was ejected for kicking dirt on the home plate umpire while he was dusting the plate.

Salamun’s replacement, Ann Marie Froysaa, gave the Highlanders (23-5) an insurance run by walking three and hitting a batsman.

Two runs were more than enough for La Habra pitcher Danielle Ortega (23-5), who set the Bruins down in order in the seventh. Ortega scattered three hits, struck out 13 and walked two en route to another shutout.

Long Beach Wilson (18-6) threatened in the first, when Jessica Zimmerman tripled over Moore’s head in left field to lead off the sixth. Ortega struck out Mandy Edwards and got Salamun to fly out to Moore.

Moore caught the ball in medium left field and threw to catcher Stefanie Bakke covering home plate. The throw was slightly high, but Bakke managed to catch it and tag out Faretta, running for Zimmerman, to end the inning.