PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Marina Pitcher Crouch Makes Huntington Beach Feel the Pain

Marcy Crouch’s sciatica was acting up, and Marina’s trainer suggested she rest Friday. But Crouch wanted to pitch and Coach Shelly Luth wasn’t going to deny her the opportunity. Crouch then went out and dominated Huntington Beach.

Crouch won her 17th game--she gave up only a first-inning single and retired the final 19 batters as Marina scored a 1-0 Sunset League victory. The top-ranked Vikings (21-2, 13-1 in league) virtually assured themselves the top-seeding in next week’s Division I playoffs. Huntington Beach (15-9, 9-5) finished fourth; the seventh-ranked Oilers should get an at-large playoff berth.

Jennifer Krill was the only batter to reach base against Crouch, who got the run she needed in the second inning.

Kelly Flowers got aboard on an error and took second when Angela Alvarez bunted safely. An out later, Crouch’s swinging bunt was fielded by pitcher Stefanie Noffsinger (8-2), who flipped the ball toward first base--but it went awry. Flowers scored from second on the throwing error.