DIVISION II SOFTBALL : Fullerton, Fancuberta Beat Charter Oak, 4-1

The last time Fullerton won a Freeway League softball title was 10 years ago. That was also the last time the Indians won a Southern Section softball title.

Fullerton won its eighth in a row and moved a game closer to a repeat of 1984 with a 4-1 Division II quarterfinal victory over Covina Charter Oak on Thursday.

Sophomore Angie Fancuberta pitched a two-hitter and Annette Martinez had two runs batted in for the Indians (17-13), who earned a semifinal date against top-seeded Saugus (27-2-1), a 4-0 winner over Crescenta Valley.

“We’ve really started hitting the ball in the playoffs,” Fullerton Coach Scott Weber said. “Today, we actually scored some runs--we have had trouble getting people across (stranding 22 runners in two extra-inning playoff games).”

Fullerton took a 2-0 lead in the second. A hit batter and a mishandled bunt preceded Marianne Emigh’s RBI single. Martinez grounded to third, but after a pause to look at the runner, Nicole Falls’ late throw to first allowed Valerie Miller to score.

Fullerton made it 4-1 on RBI singles by Martinez and Amy Simpson. Fancuberta (17-12) walked two and struck out three. Her 17 victories matches the second-best total in the county.

“Angie is one of the best pitchers in the county,” Weber said. “She just battles the whole way. She hasn’t struck out a whole lot (five in the last two games), but our defense has come through.”