Baltruzak’s Effort Wasted as La Reina Goes Quietly, 2-0
Freshman Jennifer Baltruzak pitched a three-hitter, but it wasn’t enough as Murrieta Valley defeated La Reina, 2-0, Tuesday in a semifinal game of the Southern Section Division V softball playoffs at Temecula High.
La Reina (25-6), the two-time defending section champion, scored 31 runs in the first three rounds of the playoffs, but sputtered against Murrieta Valley (21-3).
Trailing, 1-0, after two innings, the Regents had an opportunity to tie the score in the third.
Jennifer LaFemina doubled to start the inning and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Michelle Nuesca. She was stranded there, however, as the next two batters popped out and grounded out.
Murrieta Valley, which will play Crossroads, a 3-1 winner over Cerritos Valley Christian, in the championship Saturday, scored the only run it needed in the first on a walk, a passed ball and a throwing error. The Nighthawks added another run in the sixth.
The loss snapped La Reina’s 11-game playoff winning streak.
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