PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Villa Park Ends Canyon’s Hopes for Playoff Berth

Canyon’s season turned on one play three weeks ago. The Comanches, tied for first place at the time, had runners on second and third with one out but failed to score. Seven innings later, in the 12th, they lost.

That was against Foothill, and the Comanches haven’t been the same since. They lost five straight and six of their last seven games, ending their season Thursday with a 1-0 Century League loss to Villa Park.

The Comanches’ slide created little margin for error. They needed a victory to get the third-place automatic playoff berth. They needed a victory to be considered for a Division I at-large berth. They got nothing.

Foothill (21-6, 9-1) won the title for the fourth year and Villa Park (17-9, 8-2) was second. El Modena (10-13, 5-5) took third despite its loss to Foothill, and Orange (13-9, 4-6) moved moved past Canyon (12-10, 4-6) for at-large consideration.

Villa Park’s Brandee McArthur pitched a one-hitter, with 10 strikeouts and an intentional walk.

“As good a game as I’ve ever pitched,” McArthur (10-3) said.

Villa Park had runners every inning but the first but scored only in the sixth. Dawn Kobota singled and McArthur doubled off the base of the fence--200 feet away--one out later. With two down, Jamie Hunter drove in Kobota.

Canyon’s only chance to salvage the season came in the sixth. Kristi Hiatt’s leadoff single ended the perfect game. She was bunted to second, and after a pop-up to the catcher, Nina Lindenberg (batting .415) was intentionally walked. Kristy Kachig also popped to the catcher, ending the threat.

Said Canyon Coach Lance Eddy: “It was all or nothing for us.”