THE PREPS : PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Pacifica’s Freed Dominates Fountain Valley Tournament

Amanda Freed admitted she would rather pitch against one of the county’s best softball teams than face reporters, but her post-game interview was about the only time Saturday that she was unnerved.

And she better get used to the attention.

Freed, a freshman, pitched a one-hitter against fourth-ranked Mater Dei, was named the inaugural Fountain Valley tournament most valuable player, and led third-ranked Pacifica to a 4-0 victory over the Monarchs.

It was an impressive outing for Freed (7-0), given Mater Dei’s performance in the semifinals against second-ranked Marina. The Monarchs had nine hits against Marcy Crouch in a 3-1 victory.

“We’ve been hitting the ball really well and (Freed) just shut us down,” Mater Dei Coach Doug Myers said. “We spent so much time preparing for Marcy and Marina, it was tough to recoup in an hour (and play Pacifica).”

The only hit Freed allowed was a single to center field by freshman Courtney Ryan with one out in the fourth inning. In all, Mater Dei had five baserunners--there were two walks and two errors--but none got past second. Freed struck out four.

“She’s got a lot of composure for a freshman,” Pacifica Coach Rob Weil said. “She’s proven herself in big situations; she doesn’t panic.

“Our 1-2 (pitching) combo is probably one of the best in the county. I feel confident throwing either one of them.”

The other pitcher is Toni Mascarenas, a Times All-County first-team performer last year. Mascarenas is only a sophomore. Weil said the dropoff between Mascarenas and Freed is minimal. The Mariners actually improve on defense with Mascarenas playing third base.

Mascarenas pitched a four-hitter against Mater Dei (10-2) earlier, and Freed’s one-upmanship snapped the Monarchs’ eight-game winning steak and extended the Pacifica (12-1) winning streak to seven.

Freed also had two hits and an RBI, and benefited from Pacifica’s quick start. Valerie Downen hit Colleen Boddy’s first pitch for the first of her three singles, and scored on the next pitch when Autumn Gwinner laid down a sacrifice bunt and second baseman Kelsey Kollen’s throw to third base went into left field. Mascarenas walked, stole second and scored on Tasha Sisco’s single.

Pacifica added single runs in the second and third innings on RBI singles by Gwinner and Freed. Pacifica had nine hits against Boddy (10-2).

The Mariners, who reached last year’s Southern Section Division I semifinals, appear even stronger this season.

“We’re more mature than last year,” Weil said, “and Freed makes us that much better.”

In other tournament games:

Marina 3, Sonora 1--Lynette Velazquez’s two-run homer in the eighth inning gave Marina third place.

Laguna Hills 1, Huntington Beach 0--Misty Thompson scored on Sumer McMahon’s single, giving Laguna Hills fifth place.