Foothill Leaves Pacifica in the Dark

Rosie Gustavson’s bases-loaded triple in the 11th inning ended Amanda Freed’s 26-game winning streak as top-ranked Foothill beat third-ranked Pacifica, 4-0, in a nonleague softball game Wednesday.

The 11th inning started at dusk on a field that doesn’t have lights.

Freed (6-1) gave up more hits in the 11th inning--three--than she had in her first six games. She struck out 17, finished with a six-hitter and lost for the first time since 1996.

Foothill (12-1) is ranked No. 1 in the state; Pacifica (11-2) is No. 2.

Gustavson’s line drive to left-center field scored Eryn Manahan, Amber Dragomir and Erin Mobley.

“I wasn’t scared, but I definitely didn’t think I would hit a triple,” said Gustavson, who is batting .343. “I just wanted to hit the ball hard and there it went.”

It was a one-ball, two-strike screwball that Gustavson hit

“This is one of the absolute best feelings in the whole world,” Gustavson said. “It’s the most exciting hit of my life, definitely.”

Gustavson scored when a third strike to Lindsay Fossatti got past catcher Toria Auelua. Fossatti intentionally got thrown out at second on the play in an effort to end the inning.

Foothill coaches told plate umpire Bill Vinovich that reliever Lauren Schwendimann (5-1) didn’t need to warm up, but Pacifica Coach Rob Weil argued that his team wanted the full minute to prepare. Vinovich penalized Pacifica for delaying tactics by calling two strikes on Dara Webb before Schwendimann had thrown a pitch.

Webb and Freed--who had not struck out in four at-bats--struck out in the 11th.

Pacifica got only one hit off freshman Courtney Fossatti, who struck out seven and walked one in 8 2/3 innings. Fossatti might have been pitching at the end, but Foothill Coach Joe Gonzalez made two visits in the ninth inning--once before Auelua was walked intentionally and the second time after a wild pitch that put runners at first and third.

After Schwendimann walked the bases loaded, third baseman Lindsay Fossatti snared Tiffany Wallace’s line drive.

Freed struck out eight in four innings before Lindsay Fossatti broke up Freed’s bid for a fifth no-hitter in the fifth inning.