Robitaille Relies on Long Arm of Confidence : Division II: Freshman pitcher is no stranger to extra innings and victories. She gets both in the final.

Christy Robitaille is only a freshman, but her confidence and stamina on the mound led Woodbridge to the Division II Southern Section softball title.

Robitaille pitched all eight innings Friday night in the Warriors’ 4-3 victory over Lakewood. It was her third extra-inning victory in the playoffs. She pitched 44 innings in five games, including a 6-3 victory in 13 innings over second-seeded Long Beach Millikan in the quarterfinals.

“After we went into extra innings, I was just hoping it wouldn’t be 13 again,” Robitaille said. “I thought my arm was going to fall off against Millikan and I knew I couldn’t go that distance again. I would have to stop.”

Fortunately for Robitaille (21-5), the Warriors pulled out the victory in the bottom of the eighth when Lizzie Lemire scored from third on a wild pitch by Lakewood’s Angela Bessolo.

Earlier this week, Bessolo pitched 13 innings over two days to beat La Mirada.

Robitaille and the Warriors had some difficult innings but were able to avoid major damage.

In the third, Robitaille struck out the first two batters but allowed a single and two walks to load the bases. She then allowed an infield single by Kelli Fitzgerald as Lakewood took a 1-0 lead. Robitaille escaped by striking out Jamie Buksa for the third out.

She finished with 10 strikeouts.

Robitaille pulled it together and retired Lakewood in order in the fourth and fifth.

In the sixth, Lakewood scored two runs to take a 3-1 lead. Robitaille thought her team might not rebound.

“I was really nervous then,” she said. “The team was starting to get down and that is the worst feeling for a pitcher, when you feel the defense giving up.”

Her mood improved greatly when Woodbridge scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to tie it.

Robitaille retired the side in the seventh and eighth with the help of the defense.

To start the eighth, Lakewood’s Alisa Rogers grounded a ball that appeared headed to right field but Woodbridge second baseman Nichole Thompson dived for it, got it, and threw to first for the out.

“I think I could have pitched better tonight,” Robitaille said. “But the defense made some key plays in the end and we got the win.”