PREP SOFTBALL / WOODBRIDGE TOURNAMENT : Semifinal Is Halted When Players Hurt

The championship bracket of the Woodbridge Classic softball tournament was put on hold Saturday night after the county’s leading hitter and a teammate were injured in a nasty collision.

Woodbridge center fielder Alison Johnsen, who was batting .647 entering the game, and shortstop Carrie Brown collided in the third inning of the 10th-ranked Warriors’ semifinal against Mater Dei; both were taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

Johnsen was knocked unconscious “for at least a minute,” according to Coach Alan Dugard. She was listed in satisfactory condition and was being hospitalized overnight for observation. Brown suffered a broken fibula, Dugard said.

After a 29-minute delay, umpires suspended the game until 1 p.m. Monday at Harvard Park. Eighth-ranked Mater Dei was ahead, 6-0.

“The girls are extremely disturbed,” Dugard said. “It would have been useless to play tonight. It all bottomed out.”

Johnsen stole two bases in Woodbridge’s 3-0 quarterfinal victory over Bellflower earlier in the day, giving her 174 in her career. She needs four to break the Southern Section record for stolen bases in a career.

Kendra Meano’s short fly ball started the collision. Johnsen charged in from center field and Brown, a junior, turned and ran toward left-center field.

Johnsen made a shoestring catch; Brown tried to sidestep to avoid Johnsen, but apparently hit her in the temple with the side of her left knee. Brown flipped over Johnsen and both remained immobile on the ground.

Umpire Lou Neubecker, who was standing near the play, said Johnsen lost consciousness immediately and called for a trainer and coaches.

“Her head snapped back and her eyes rolled up,” Neubecker said.

Dugard, who has coached at Woodbridge four years, said it is the worst collision he has seen.

“They’re both going to get anything that’s hit; unfortunately both were going full tilt when they hit,” he said. “Losing a game means nothing; losing kids--that’s tough.”

They are the second and third players in two days to leave a game under such circumstances: Huntington Beach pitcher Stefanie Noffsinger was struck in the face by a batted ball and had to leave Friday’s game against Fountain Valley.

In the other semifinal:

Upland 2, Foothill 1--Kelly Smith pitched a one-hitter and Christy Sears hit a two-run homer to lift Upland (11-0) to the championship game. Smith faced only two batters over the minimum.

Amy Barnes’ single drove in the only run for No. 9 Foothill (10-5).

In the quarterfinals:

Upland 1, Kennedy 0 (10 innings)--Shanna Humphries’ one-out double lifted Upland into the semifinal game over No. 5 Kennedy. The Irish played with only three starters in their regular positions--center field, left field and pitcher--to accommodate the absence of three players who missed the game for disciplinary reasons and another who was sick.

Foothill 2, Pacifica 0--Marie Gieron (3-3) pitched a two-hitter and Dawn Davidson and Carley Rutledge had RBI singles as Foothill defeated No. 4 Pacifica.

Woodbridge 3, Bellflower 0--Jackie Sukiasian pitched a five-hitter and drove in the only run she needed in the fifth inning to lead No. 10 Woodbridge. Ashley Boone and Carrie Brown added RBIs in the sixth inning.

Mater Dei 6, Sunny Hills 0--Patty Godwin pitched a two-hitter and got two RBIs apiece from Candace Kollen and Margaret Hollis for Mater Dei.