PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Alvarez’s Catch, Throw Seal Marina Victory

Angela Alvarez’s diving catch in right and perfect throw to retire the runner at the plate preserved Marina’s come-from-behind 5-4 victory over Ocean View in the championship game of the Laguna Hills Softball tournament Thursday at Alicia Park.

Alvarez dived headlong into foul territory to make the catch and threw a one-hopper to home plate, where catcher Heather Williams blocked the sliding Angela Burke to secure the Vikings’ nine-inning victory.

Marina (5-0) fell behind in the first inning, when Ocean View’s Rocky Willson singled to center to score two unearned runs.

Winning pitcher Heather Hibben (3-0) pitched nine innings, giving up six hits and striking out five.

Marina runs in the third and sixth tied the score, 2-2, to force extra innings. Marina took a lead in the top of the eighth on a two-run home run by all-tournament player Lynette Velasquez.

Ocean View (7-2) bounced back in the bottom half of the inning, when Kathy Ponce drove in two runs with a triple to center. A baserunning error, however, prevented Ocean View from pushing across the winning run.

Ponce, went four for four.

Marina recorded three crucial double plays to end threats by Ocean View in the fifth, sixth and ninth.