Late Rally Leads Capistrano Valley

With Capistrano Valley’s Brooke Weekley and Dana Hills’ Candice Rainwater engaged in a pitcher’s duel, the Cougars scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning and held on for a 3-0 victory over the Dolphins in a South Coast League softball game Tuesday.

“I expected a real tight ball game coming in,” Capistrano Valley Coach Bob Janko said. “Defense and pitching are tough on both sides and runs were at a premium.”

Capistrano Valley (19-7-1, 8-1) clinched a share of the league title behind Weekley (16-5), who gave up three hits and struck out four. Second-place Dana Hills is 17-9, 7-2, with one game to play.

A leadoff walk, a single by Breanna Adame that broke up Rainwater’s no-hitter, and a fielder’s choice loaded the bases. Alicia Thompson’s walk gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Allie Russi followed with an RBI single off Rainwater (10-7) and a fielding error on a ground ball made it 3-0.

“Breanna’s single broke us loose,” Janko said. “Their pitcher got a little tight and walked a couple of batters, and our kids executed for us.”