Kroener Pitches 2 Shutouts for Saddleback

Saddleback, behind the strong pitching of Tara Kroener, won twice in the Southern California softball playoffs at Moorpark Friday.

Kroener (28-11) pitched a five-hit shutout as the No. 12 Gauchos defeated No. 4 Moorpark, 6-0, in the afternoon. Kroener also had a run-scoring double in the game.

Kroener had a RBI single and pitched a three-hitter as Saddleback beat No. 5 Hancock, 3-0, earlier Friday.

Saddleback needs one victory today to reach the state tournament.

In other games:

Cypress 7, Antelope Valley 0--Mandy Rockwell (29-1) and Lisa Monreal, who entered the game in the sixth, combined to pitch a five-hitter for host Cypress (20-12). Rockwell struck out four, walked none and gave up four hits in the semifinal victory.

Koral King was three for three with three RBIs and Melissa Beck scored three runs for the Chargers. Cypress, which is undefeated in the double-elimination tournament, defeated Grossmont, 10-0, in its first-round game.