Wolverines Win Share of Title in Pacific

Lisa Krueger’s single scored Jessica Vernaglia in the bottom of the seventh inning Friday to give Aliso Niguel a 1-0 victory over ninth-ranked Laguna Hills and a share of the Pacific Coast League softball title.

The Wolverines claimed a share of first place for the third time in their six-year history.

Laguna Hills, which won a share of the league championship for the eighth time in nine years, had won 11 games in a row and had gone 13-0-1 in its last 14.

Vernaglia singled to open the seventh inning and advanced to second on Sara Sheikh’s bunt single before Krueger’s 23rd RBI.

It made a winner of Danielle Heath (13-5), who pitched a one-hitter, struck out three and gave up one walk.

The Wolverines are 17-8, 9-1 in league. Laguna Hills (21-5, 9-1) won the first meeting, 1-0.

Melissa Creeger (20-3), who leads the county in victories, struck out three, didn’t walk anyone and gave up six hits for Laguna Hills.

The Hawks loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but Heath got Monique Kees and pinch-hitter Angie White to ground out.

Aliso Niguel also threatened in the bottom of the sixth. The Wolverines had runners at first and second, but Chezare Sievers hit into a double play.

In the Academy league:

Capistrano Valley Christian 16, Connelly 0 (5, mercy)--Lauren Capriotti (14-6) struck out 12 and walked three in a one-hitter to lead CVC (15-6, 8-2) to its first league title since 1982. Capriotti was three for four with a home run and two RBIs and Lindsay Fait was three for four with two RBIs for the Eagles, who share the title with Downey Calvary Chapel.

St. Margaret’s 5, Downey Calvary Chapel 4 (9)--Dawn Dallaire bunted in Jenny Zuidema with one out in the ninth to lead host St. Margaret’s (10-9, 7-3), which finished third in league. Dallaire finished with two hits and three RBIs.

In Academy league baseball:

Capistrano Valley Christian 13, St. Michael’s 3 (6, mercy)--Thomas Grove (6-1) pitched four innings and struck out seven to get the victory for host Capistrano Valley (17-4, 10-0). Grove also was three for four with two doubles and three RBIs.