Alemany Makes a Little Go a Long Way, 1-0

The frustration was building for the Alemany High girls’ softball team.

There were plenty of scoring opportunities for the Indians in the first six innings, including two runners who were left on third base, but no runs.

That was until Kerrie O’Shea delivered a one-out single in the seventh to score Sarita Contreras for a 1-0 victory over Nordhoff in a Southern Section Division IV wild-card game Wednesday at Alemany.

Contreras, who had a perfect game through four innings, finished with a one-hitter and allowed only one baserunner to reach second.

It was not an overpowering outing for Contreras (15-11). She had only four strikeouts but did not walk a batter.

The only hit for Nordhoff (11-11) was a clean single to right field by Coleen Cain to lead off the fifth.

“That’s the kind of game she pitches when she’s on,” said Coach Dudley Rooney of Alemany (15-12). “She mixes up her pitches real well.”

Considering what was at stake for her team, Contreras said she didn’t dwell on the hit by Cain.

“It didn’t bother me because I knew we’d get out of the inning,” she said. “I don’t really think about no-hitters. If we win, that’s all that matters.”

Contreras appeared more excited about her double that landed behind right-fielder Trinity Edwards and started the winning rally.

She advanced to third when Vanessa Rodrigue flew out to Edwards, who made an errant return throw toward the infield.

The Indians advanced to a first-round game Friday against Cabrillo in Lompoc.

When it was over, nobody seemed to mind the prospect of a long trip to Lompoc to face the third-seeded team in the division.

“Last year we didn’t even make the playoffs, so this is a big step up for us,” Contreras said.