Westlake Holds Ace of Diamonds : Softball: DeArman trumps Newbury Park, out-pitching stand-in Thorpe with two-hitter, 2-1.

The softball game between Newbury Park and Westlake highs Tuesday produced the expected pitchers’ duel, even though one of the would-be combatants threw only one pitch.

A pulled shoulder muscle kept Newbury Park’s Kristi Fox from pitching. Instead, Fox--and her 0.33 earned-run average--played third base while Jann Thorpe battled Westlake ace Kelly DeArman (0.05 ERA).

Thorpe’s pitching never failed her, but in the sixth two bunts took favorable bounces for Westlake, becoming base hits.

The baserunners triggered enough of a rally to give the visiting Warriors sole possession of second place in the Marmonte League with a 2-1 victory at Borchard Park.

Newbury Park (15-8, 7-4) dropped into fourth place and out of a guaranteed playoff berth with three league games left.

Pitching her first varsity game, Thorpe kept the Warriors (19-4, 9-2) off balance early with her changeup, allowing only one hit through the fifth inning.

“We knew she was going to be in there, but we also know that changeup is really tough to hit and she throws it for strikes,” DeArman said.

But in the sixth, leadoff batter Michelle Notaro attempted a bunt that sailed over the head of a charging Thorpe. Arin Carlson intended merely to sacrifice Notaro to second base but Carlson beat catcher Mandy Kininghan’s throw to first.

Notaro advanced to third on an obstruction call, then scored on a ground ball by DeArman, beating Fox’s throw. Carlson scored to give Westlake a 2-0 lead after Kininghan failed to locate the ball near the backstop.

DeArman (18-3) did not give up a hit until Christine Arguijo singled to center with one out in the sixth. Arguijo was forced at second, but Tina Roscoe eventually scored after two Westlake errors and a single by Emily Webster.

Newbury Park had runners at first and second with two out when cleanup hitter Melissa Brecht popped up to first baseman Amanda Martin.

DeArman finished with a two-hitter and struck out eight. Thorpe (0-1) gave up four hits and likely will pitch against Agoura on Thursday.