SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Camarillo Bottoms Out in Sixth, 3-1

Camarillo High Coach Nichole Victoria had a luxury most softball coaches can imagine only in their dreams.

For three days, since the Scorpions’ semifinal victory over top-seeded Foothill, Victoria had agonized over which of her two aces would fare better against second-seeded Mater Dei in Saturday’s Southern Section Division I championship game.

Breaking the rotation, the nod went to sophomore right-hander Cindy Ball. And the victory went to Mater Dei.

In front of a capacity crowd of 2,800 at Mayfair Park, Mater Dei (30-1) overcame a one-run deficit to defeat Camarillo, 3-1.

The Monarchs’ Monica Lucatero slugged a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth to drive in Robin Walker and Marissa Young for a 3-1 lead.

Ball (12-2), who had struck out 147 in 107 innings before facing Mater Dei, allowed six hits, five of which came in the fifth and sixth innings.

Victoria decided to start Ball over senior right-hander Melanie Richardson. Victoria thought Ball, a power pitcher, would fare better than Richardson (11-1).

Camarillo (23-3-1) scored in the third inning. Tommee Payan singled with one out and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Allison Taverner. She scored on Lucatero’s error.