Freed Helps Pacifica Get Past Mater Dei

Amanda Freed and Division III Pacifica won’t have to deal with Mater Dei when playoff time comes.

Freed gave Division I Mater Dei a parting shot Saturday night, leading Pacifica to a 1-0 victory in the championship game of the Fountain Valley tournament at Mile Square Park. Freed, who gave up four hits, hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh to lift Pacifica.

It was the second victory over Mater Dei this season for the Mariners (17-1-1), the top-ranked team in the state, according to Cal-Hi Sports.

The game was the expected pitchers’ duel, with Monarch freshman Tia Bollinger getting the better of things through the first six innings. Bollinger, who pitched a no-hitter to beat Fountain Valley, 3-0, earlier in the day, had not given up a hit in 15 innings before Freed ended that streak in the top of the seventh.

Freed, the tournament most valuable player, hit a long fly ball over the head of Mater Dei left fielder Jodi Schicker that reached the 275-foot fence. The Monarchs made a solid relay but had no play as Freed (10-0) scored.

“It was a drop that didn’t quite get down,” Bollinger said. “I give her a lot of credit--she’s a great hitter.”

Mater Dei (12-3) got three of its four hits on fly balls, including two leadoff singles by junior catcher Courtney Ryan. However, Ryan was stranded in the second inning and was called out for leaving base early in the fourth. The Monarch short game, normally their strength, was negated by the defense of Pacifica third baseman Toni Mascarenas, who made three outstanding plays to take away hits.

“Amanda is as good a pitcher as there is, and you have to capitalize on your opportunities,” Mater Dei Coach Doug Myers said. “We had some things happen that really hurt us.”