Esparza’s One-Hitter Leads San Pedro to Title Game

Ashley Esparza allowed only her fourth hit in four playoff games, throwing a one-hitter Thursday, but she needed to pitch 10 innings before top-seeded San Pedro pulled out a 1-0 victory over Woodland Hills El Camino Real in the City Section semifinals at South Gate Park.

Jackie Conlin’s single drove home Stephanie Tam with the winning run, sending the Pirates (28-3) to the City title game at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday at UCLA.

The four-time defending champion Pirates will face Marine League rival Carson, which is making its fifth consecutive appearance in the championship game.

The second-seeded Colts (26-8) defeated third-seeded Sylmar, 1-0, in the other semifinal at South Gate Park when Priscilla Perez lined a game-winning single against Stephanie Boshae (18-1) in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Danira Iolamo (16-6) allowed only one hit and struck out 12 for Carson. It was the first loss for Sylmar (20-1).

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Santa Ana Coach Glenn Mitchell isn’t taking his team’s game today against La Habra in the Southern Section Division III playoffs for granted. The first-round game is only the Saints’ third playoff contest.

Mitchell entered this season with an 88-219 record since taking over the program in 1990. Santa Ana (18-3-1, 10-2) won its first league title since 1987.

Mitchell credits senior second baseman Diana Quezada for the turnaround, along with three freshmen: catcher Jackie De La Riva, shortstop Raina Gautier and first baseman Allison Hauser. The three helped absorb the loss of six players who were ineligible or unable to play this spring for a variety of reasons.

“In the past, I’d be pulling up J.V. girls just so we’d have enough players,” Mitchell said. “The three freshmen put us over the top.”

Among the top playoff games today are Etiwanda (18-9) at fourth-seeded Irvine Woodbridge (21-9) in Division I and Colton (20-6) at fourth-seeded Chino Don Lugo (22-3) in Division II.