Dobrowolski Keys Eagle Victory, 3-1

It’s not often that a batter gets a chance to redeem herself in the middle of a pitchers’ duel. But Santa Margarita junior Erin Dobrowolski took advantage of the opportunity Wednesday and helped the Eagles to a nine-inning, 3-1 victory over El Modena in a Division III wild-card softball game at El Modena.

Dobrowolski nearly cost the Eagles a chance to play at second-seeded Covina Charter Oak in the first round Friday, when she misplayed Lisa Schlueter’s two-out fly ball to right field in the fifth inning, which enabled Morgan Scott to score from first for a 1-0 lead.

Until then, El Modena pitcher Erin Norton (7-5) had given up only one hit and not allowed a ball out of the infield. But Kim Hopkin hit a soft single to right field with one out and continued to second when the ball rolled through the legs of right-fielder Loni Wilson. After a passed ball enabled Hopkin to take third, Dobrowolski came through with an RBI ground out to second.

“I was pretty upset after that play in the outfield,” Dobrowolski said. “Right off the bat the [base] umpire was standing in my way. I kept yelling at him to move, but he wouldn’t.”

Santa Margarita (14-11-1) then took advantage of two more miscues by the Vanguards in the ninth. Colleen Bordages reached safely on a throwing error by El Modena third basemen Courtney Krueger, then Krystal Fonte smashed a hard grounder through Krueger’s legs. Danielle Manning then laid down a bunt in front of the plate, which Norton dropped while trying to field.

With one out, Carolyn Bullard hit a hard grounder to shortstop Ashley Van Boxmeer, who elected to go to first instead of home, giving Santa Margarita a 2-1 lead. Fonte then scored on a passed ball.

In Division IV:

Estancia 5, Western 4--Estancia broke a 4-4 tie with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Sara Chaisson and Stephanie Danner had two-out singles and Stacey Barnett walked to load the bases. Stefanie Cachola then followed with an RBI single.

Estancia (14-8) travels to Rosary for a first-round game Friday.

Rancho Alamitos 4, Lakewood Mayfair 1--Kristina Hyllested pitched a three-hitter with nine strikeouts for Rancho Alamitos (13-12), which will travel to Santa Fe Springs St. Paul for a first-round game Friday.