Griffins Put the Squeeze on Barons

Los Alamitos employed the playbook to near perfection in the sixth inning Thursday, using a walk, stolen base, infield out and squeeze bunt to beat Fountain Valley, 1-0, and take control of the Sunset League softball race.

Kim Dillon pitched a two-hit shutout for the seventh-ranked Griffins (16-7, 7-1), who took sole possession of first place and left the sixth-ranked Barons (20-8, 6-2) tied for second with No. 3 Marina (20-6, 6-2).

After five scoreless innings the Griffins finally got to Fountain Valley pitcher Natalie King (20-7) in the top of the sixth. Kristin Farber, the county’s leading base-stealer, walked on a 3-2 pitch and quickly stole her 31st base of the season.

MacKenzie DeLeon followed with a grounder to first, moving Farber to third.

Expecting a squeeze bunt from Phelan Wright, a play Los Alamitos uses frequently, Fountain Valley intentionally walked her instead.

The next hitter, Darcey Brown, put down the squeeze. Farber headed home, and when she saw Baron catcher Kristin Crowder straddling the plate, she knew she had to get creative.

“I slid in feet first and realized I wasn’t going to get the plate with my feet, so I reached over her and got it with my hand,” Farber said. “All I knew was I needed to be safe.”

Crowder’s tag was a split-second too late.

Dillon (8-6) gave up a leadoff double to Jenny Doezie in the first inning, then retired 18 consecutive batters. Dillon finished with four strikeouts and walked none.

The Griffin defense also was impressive, committing no errors and making 14 infield putouts.

“Our defense has been so strong for us,” first-year Griffin Coach Renee Bergeron said. “Our pitchers have more confidence knowing that if they give up a hit, the defense will be there to put it away.”