Crescenta Valley Falls Short

Crescenta Valley High pitcher Meredith Cervenka came into the softball playoff game on Tuesday with gaudy numbers.

But none of it seemed to matter to host Santa Ana Mater Dei, which defeated No. 2-seeded Crescenta Valley, 3-0, in a Southern Section Division II second-round game at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley.

Cervenka hadn’t allowed an earned run this season. She had five perfect games, six no-hitters and a dazzling 25-1 record.

“Our shortstop, Christina Clark, played with Meredith in the summer,” Mater Dei Coach Ernie Rodriguez said. “She gave us the low-down on her and pumped us up.”

Marissa Becerra outpitched Cervenka, finishing with a four-hitter. She didn’t walk anyone and retired 15 consecutive batters, after allowing leadoff hitter Sarah Sherman’s double in the first inning.

Cervenka surrendered five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.

The walks and four stolen bases hurt Cervenka and Crescenta Valley (26-2), as the Monarchs (20-8) rallied for runs in the second and fourth innings.

In the second with one out, Riki Paredes drew a walk, stole second and scored on Michelle Hoffmann’s single.

In the fourth, Paredes drew a walk, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Sharee Zaleski’s single.

In the fifth, Sheila McCorkle bunted for a hit, stole second and went to third on an error by shortstop Tammy La Breche, and scored on a wild pitch.

“We found out early their catcher wasn’t going to throw us out, so we ran,” Rodriguez said. “It gave us an edge, especially against this pitcher.”

Said Crescenta Valley Coach Dan Berry: “Stolen bases were very important, but their hits were seeing-eye. When we hit the ball, we found their gloves.”