Edwards’ Effort Helps Orange Lutheran Advance

Orange Lutheran made the most of two Lancaster Paraclete mistakes and a solid pitching performance from sophomore Jessica Edwards to win Tuesday, 1-0, and advance to the Southern Section Division V softball finals.

The Lancers (20-9) will play Calvary Chapel in the championship game at a site and time to be determined.

“It’s real exciting for this group of girls because we have no seniors,” Orange Lutheran Coach Steve Miklos said. “We’ve never gone past the semifinals.”

Orange Lutheran got its fourth consecutive shutout from Edwards, who gave up three hits, struck out 10 and walked five at Concordia University.

Edwards (13-6) had combined to strike out 48 batters in the Lancers’ three previous playoff victories, which included her third perfect game of the season in the opening round against Riverside Woodcrest Christian.

Edwards didn’t have an easy time against Paraclete (21-6-2), which put runners on base in every inning but stranded all nine runners. Edwards was also called for four illegal pitches.

The Lancers, who scored two unearned runs to win in the quarterfinals against Boron, 2-0, made the most of a Paraclete error in the third inning.

With two out, Jenny Miklos lined a single to center, which skipped through the legs of Jackie Kolesaz and enabled Miklos to advance to third. “On this short grass it’s just going to scoot,” Paraclete Coach Margaret Neill said. “It didn’t come up like it normally does and scooted on her.”

Paraclete pitcher Amanda Wachsmuth (12-4) then threw a low pitch to Laura Miklos, which trickled through the legs of catcher Allna Valdez and allowed Jenny Miklos to score.

In another Division V game:

Calvary Chapel 2, Santa Maria St. Joseph 0--With two on and two out in the fourth inning, Jaqueline Beadle’s grounder to shortstop was thrown away for an error, enabling Lindsay Stice and Anna Jones to score and give second-seeded Calvary Chapel (22-4) a chance to defend its title. In the sixth inning with runners at second and third, Erin Spry made a running catch and threw home for an inning-ending double play. St. Joseph ended its season 16-12-1.