Smallest Player Sparks Reseda’s Biggest Inning : Softball: Lopez’s single triggers Regents’ nine-run sixth in 10-1 quarterfinal victory over Monroe.

Reseda High second baseman Gabby Lopez may have been the smallest player on the field in Thursday’s City Section 4-A quarterfinal against Monroe, but she provided the biggest relief for the Regents.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lopez’ bloop single to center field did more than score the go-ahead run for Reseda.

It was the flashpoint of the Vikings’ collapse. Reseda took advantage of five Monroe errors to score nine runs in the inning, cementing a 10-1 victory and extending the Regents’ undefeated season.

Second-seeded Reseda (19-0) will play San Pedro in a semifinal Tuesday at South Gate Park.

Reseda took advantage of every miscue by Monroe (10-7), including four errors by shortstop Charlotte Ali.

Lopez’s game-winning hit came on a pitch nearly over her head.

“I knew I’d be able to hit the ball,” Lopez said. “I didn’t know I would hit the ball that hard.”

Although Lopez is barely five feet tall, the freshman was hardly overmatched against Monroe pitcher Kelley Hall.

Lopez was one of the few Regent hitters to keep the ball on the ground. In the first five innings, Hall’s pitches kept Reseda off-balance, creating several popups and fly balls.

“She’s probably one of the best we’ve played all season,” Regent catcher Jenaye Brown said. “We worked on our hitting all week to get ready for her.”

The Vikings appeared to gain momentum, tying the game at 1-1 in the third when Lupe Brambila’s single scored Ali. But Reseda sophomore Cristy Rebbeck struck out the next four batters .

Monroe threatened again in the fifth when Ali reached second with one out but was stranded after two ground balls to Rebbeck, setting the stage for Reseda’s explosion.

“We’re a young team. We knew what to expect but it really got away from us once those first runs scored,” Monroe Coach Bill Hence said. “They took full advantage of everything we gave them.”

Rebbeck (10-0) finished with a four-hitter and struck out six.

Brown had three hits, including two doubles and two runs batted in.