Hart Springs to Life in 11th

For Hart High’s softball team, spring break was a lot like its Foothill League game against Saugus on Monday: quiet for an extended period with a very sweet ending.

In their first game in 16 days, the Indians got a run-scoring double from Casey Pickard in the bottom of the 11th inning for an emotional 1-0 victory at Newhall Park.

“We hadn’t played a game for about forever,” said catcher Sara Dean, whose team was playing its first game since April 8. “It was difficult getting going, especially since [Sunday] was Easter, and all anybody did was sit around and eat candy.”

Against Saugus right-hander Megan Ivey, Hart didn’t do much until Pickard drilled a shot over right fielder Jennifer McLarty to drive in Dean from second and give the Indians (13-3, 3-0 in league play) a 1 1/2-game lead over Saugus (13-8, 2-2) for first place.

Saugus and Hart shared the league championship last season.

Monday marked the start of a 10-game, 13-day stretch for Hart. The Indians play league rivals Valencia and Canyon today and Thursday, then open Thousand Oaks tournament play on Saturday against Newbury Park.

“An extra-inning game was just what the doctor ordered,” said Coach Cathy Giordano. “We really needed this to jump-start us.”

The prescription included solid defense and strong pitching.

Amanda Fortune and reliever Lindsey Kontra (5-1) outdueled Ivey (5-2), a sophomore right-hander.

Each pitcher received plenty of help.

With two out in the eighth, Carly Caldaronello of Hart attempted to score from second on a sharp single up the middle by Jocelyn Evans. Caldaronello was cut down at the plate by a perfect one-hop throw from center fielder Kelly Cornelison.

“This was just a great game,” said Coach Ron Hilton of Saugus. “Hart had to earn this victory. We didn’t give them anything.”

The Centurions didn’t get anything, either.

Caldaronello was flawless at shortstop, fielding 11 chances, including a nice play with two out in the 10th to nab Jaclyn Holden at first and strand Julie Watson at third.

Shanna Mann received a rare start in center field and made two circus catches, including a diving catch of Ivey’s sinking liner in the eighth to end a bases-loaded threat.

Fortune (7-1) allowed five hits in seven-plus innings before giving way to Kontra, who hurled four no-hit innings.

Ivey allowed nine singles through 10 innings, but walked Dean to lead off the 11th, then allowed a sharp single by Evans.

With runners on first and second and none out, several Hart assistants clamored for a bunt, but Giordano would have none of it.

“That kid can hit,” she said of Pickard, a junior first baseman who bats fifth. “She showed it by going the other way and crushing the ball.”