CANYON SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT : Mistake Costly for Mater Dei

A lack of execution proved the difference in Mater Dei’s 2-1 loss to Corona Centennial in the quarterfinals of the Canyon softball tournament Monday at Peralta Park.

Mater Dei pitcher Colleen Boddy (13-3) failed to pitch around the Huskies’ Jessica Roberts, who tripled in the eventual winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“Colleen got the ball up, right where (Roberts) likes it and she drove it,” Mater Dei Coach Doug Myers said. “We didn’t put pressure on them. This was a field we would normally like because the ball bounces real well, but we didn’t execute.”

The victory was Centennial’s second consecutive over a ranked Orange County team in the tournament. The Huskies (15-2) beat then-No. 5 Ocean View, 4-0, in pool play Saturday.

Mater Dei (14-3) took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Boddy drove in designated hitter Margaret Hollis with a single. Boddy had two of the Monarchs’ three hits.

Centennial, which had one hit through five innings, didn’t take advantage of three Mater Dei errors, leaving five runners on base.

In the bottom of the sixth, Centennial first baseman Audrey Munoz singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice.

After center fielder Nicole Miller was hit by a pitch, Isela Zamorano grounded out to second, driving in Munoz. Roberts then got the only extra-base hit of the game.

“We haven’t had to come back much this season,” Centennial Coach Rick Robinson said. “I think that woke us up a little.”

Centennial pitcher Jennifer Tolton (13-2) struck out five and held the Monarchs well below their six-run average.

Tolton also held Monarch leadoff hitter Kelsey Kollen, who ranks among the county leaders with a .463 batting average, hitless in three attempts.

The Huskies play Brea Olinda in the semifinals at 3:15 p.m. today.