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Mater Dei Tops Crescenta Valley

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Crescenta Valley pitcher Meredith Cervenka came into Tuesday’s playoff game with impressive numbers.

But none of it seemed to matter to host Mater Dei as they beat second-seeded Crescenta Valley, 3-0, in a Southern Section Division II softball second-round game at Mile Square Park. The Monarchs (20-8) will face Canyon in a quarterfinal on Thursday.

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

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“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.

Walks and stolen bases hurt Cervenka and Crescenta Valley (26-2) as the Monarchs turned those into 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 another 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.

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