Los Alamitos Ends Pacifica Streak, 1-0

Eighty-eight straight innings.

That’s how long the Pacifica softball team had been shutting down opponents--11 consecutive shutouts and 13 victories in a row.

But Thursday, as quickly as you could say E-5, it all came crashing down as second-seeded Pacifica (27-3) gave up an unearned run with two outs in the ninth and Los Alamitos advanced to the Division I semifinals with a 1-0 victory at Los Alamitos High.

The Griffins (21-6) will hit the road for Tuesday’s semifinals, facing the winner of today’s game between third-seeded Mater Dei and Santa Barbara San Marcos.

Los Alamitos managed only three hits through the first eight innings against Mariner starter Toni Mascarenas (13-3), and when Pacifica center fielder Kristin Freed robbed Cyndi Tredway of a base hit leading off the bottom of the ninth, Mascarenas had retired nine Griffins in a row. Then the trouble started.

Michelle Schneider had a sharp hit up the middle, which looked like a single but turned into a triple when the ball got past Freed. Mascarenas intentionally walked Jennifer Slaney, then induced a ground ball from Dinha Mead for the second out. Megan Barnes then grounded to third, but Amanda Freed mishandled the ball, then threw late to first as Schneider scored and the Griffin celebration began.

The Los Alamitos defense solidly backed winning pitcher Mandy Rockwell (11-0).