Paraclete Gets Chance to Finalize a Title

A 22-year cold spell might be nearing an end, thanks to a hot pitcher and a sizzling offense.

Paraclete High, a Southern Section softball runner-up six times in 22 seasons under Coach Margaret Neill, earned a seventh chance at a first title on Tuesday, defeating Western Christian, 5-0, in a Division V semifinal in Covina.

“It’s good to be back,” said Neill, who has a 548-98 career record.

It’s also good to have junior right-hander Sara Gonzales (22-2), who pitched a one-hitter, and a lineup peaking at the perfect time.

Gonzales struck out seven, allowing only a leadoff single to Marnie Clarke in the first inning, while stretching her scoreless-inning streak to 47.

The No. 2-seeded Spirits (24-3), who have outscored four playoff opponents, 42-0, had 12 hits against Western Christian (13-11), which finished third in the Christian League before upsetting No. 3-seeded La Reina, St. Margaret’s and Delphic League champion Montclair Prep.

Heather Brown had three hits and scored twice, Jackie Kolesar and Tiffany Forrest each had two hits, and Catherine Buttrey drove in two runs for Paraclete, which broke open the game with four runs in the final two innings.

Paraclete, in its first championship game since 1997, will play Olympic League champion Orange Lutheran (22-8) on Friday or Saturday in Irvine. Orange Lutheran beat top-seeded Village Christian, 1-0, in the other semifinal.

No. 4-seeded Orange Lutheran has had a similar postseason run, outscoring opponents, 14-0.

With Neill seeking her first title, there’s a clear sentimental favorite.

“We want to win it for ourselves, but we want to win it for her, too,” Gonzales said.

Said Brown: “She needs one [title], she’s earned one and we’ll bring her one.”