Softball Notebook: Bevy of Big Games Highlight Final Week of Regular Season

Over the last week around the San Gabriel Valley, many teams were fighting to stay alive in the hunt to clinch a playoff berth. Here is a rundown on what Patch caught during the week:

Tuesday: Crescenta Valley 5, Burroughs 2

Erin Ashby gave the Falcons the lead in the most unimaginable scenario possible. With a runner on second and in position to be intentionally walked in a 2-2 game, Ashby took a pitch that was high across the plate and hit a line drive to centerfield. Kelly Bako, standing on second, raced to the plate and gave the Falcons the lead.

“When Ashby knows she sees a green light, she will take it,” Falcons coach Dan Berry said. “That is a perfect example of what an All-State player’s mentality is.”

Two batters later, the Falcons sealed the win when Hannah Cookson blasted one out to left-centerfield for a two-run home run in the sixth inning. The win for Crescenta Valley (19-3, 11-1) not only put them at a tie with Burroughs (17-7, 11-1), but they can earn at least a share of the Pacific League title by winning their final two games this week. It would be their 22^nd title since 1983.

Wednesday: La Cañada 6, San Marino 0

Already with at least a share of a Rio Hondo League title, the Spartans took down Michelle Floyd and the Titans to clinch sole possession of first place in league.

“It feels nice to be all alone,” Spartans coach KC Mathews said. “This team has shown no panic all season long, and they have done a good job keeping their composure. It has been a big difference when last year in the playoffs we didn’t do that. This year there is just a different calmness being the better team game after game.”

Leading 1-0 in the fifth inning, Catherine Horner started the Spartan rally with a single up the middle, bringing in Anna Edwards standing on second. Two more runs came in during the inning with base hits from Megan Siepler and Aubri Thompson. Floyd lost her composure in the sixth, allowing base to five of the six batters she faced in the sixth inning, leading to two more runs.

Lauren O’Leary had her best game against San Marino this season, throwing a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts. Horner led the team at the plate going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Anna Edwards picked up a pair of runs with her double in the sixth inning.

While the Spartans now own the Rio Hondo League, the Titans needed to wait another day in order to clinch second place. And they did just that last Thursday defeating Temple City 9-3. The Titans will now use their final week to strengthen up and get ready for playoff action.

“These girls will pull through,” Titans coach Hilda Valencia said. “These girls are fighting hard and toughing things out when it gets rough. We know it’s going to be a dog fight in this league until the end.”

Thursday: Alemany 6, Flintridge Sacred Heart 3

Both teams came into the game tied for third place in the Mission League standings. The Warriors prevailed though, thanks to Jessica Gallo’s 3-for-4, two-RBI performance. Mackenzie Lyng who started the game only was able to go five-plus innings, allowing five runs, four of which were earned. The Tologs’ only offense came in the sixth on a three-run shot by Lauren Torres.

“We left a ton of runners in scoring position,” Tologs coach Kirk Nishiyama said. “On our side we couldn’t bring them in, Alemany was able to late in the game. It was the only thing that really separated us from the game.”

The loss pushed the Tologs back to fourth place, and they now face an important stretch in the final week. With two games to go, the Tologs need to win out and have Alemany lose one of their final two games to secure third place, but it won’t be easy. After they face Harvard-Westlake, who is tied with FSHA in the standings, a date with Notre Dame ends their regular season.

Friday: Mayfield 1, Flintridge Prep 0

No better way to end the week than to have the two top teams in the Prep League face off for first place. Both pitchers came in with their best outing, but Mayfield’s Imani Mitchell was the only one to get to the opposition as she went 2-for-2 and scored the lone run off Rebels hurler Denise Van der goot, to give the Cubs the 1-0 win.

“We hit the ball, made contact, but we couldn’t find the holes,” Rebels coach Julie Jamie said. “Katherine is a great pitcher, but I am impressed at how these girls played against her in the two games we played them.”

Van der goot only allowed five base hits and struck out 14, helping the Rebels to stay in the game all afternoon. Katherine Clancy of Mayfield only surrendered three hits, and escaped a big seventh inning to earn the victory. Van der goot led off the final frame with a single to center, and the Rebels managed to play small ball to advance her to third. Maya Okamoto though grounded right back to Clancy to end the game, leaving Van der goot stranded.

The Rebels can still clinch at least a share of the Prep League title with a win in their final two games, both of which are at home. They face Westridge to end the season, who dealt them an 8-6 loss on April 19.

“It is always nice to be put into this position,” Jamie said. “A league title is always something you play for, and to rely on ourselves to win it is even better.”

Player of the Week: Erin Ashby, Crescenta Valley

Though many players were able to earn the weekly honors, Ashby’s base hit in the sixth inning against Burroughs handed the Indians their first loss in Pacific League play and have them tied for first place. Ashby finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a home run.

One Week To Go …

With just one more week to go until the playoffs begin, here is a look at the standings from across the San Gabriel Valley:

Prep League

Flintridge Prep 11-4 (8-2)

Mayfield 12-7 (8-2)

Rio Hondo Prep 13-5 (7-3)

Chadwick 8-8 (5-5)

Poly 4-9 (3-6)

Westridge 4-10 (3-8)

Webb 2-9 (0-8)

Pacific League

Crescenta Valley 19-3 (11-1)

Burroughs 17-7 (11-1)

Burbank 12-11 (10-2)

Arcadia 7-10 (6-5)

Hoover 8-13 (3-8)

Glendale 1-14 (1-8)

Pasadena 4-15 (1-9)

Muir 0-9 (0-9)

Mission League

Chaminade 17-7 (8-0)

Notre Dame 17-7 (6-2)

Alemany 9-14 (4-4)

Harvard Westlake 10-9 (3-5)

Flintridge Sacred Heart 9-13 (3-5)

Louisville 4-14 (0-8)

Rio Hondo League

La Cañada 20-3 (11-0)

San Marino 13-3 (7-4)

Temple City 12-12 (4-6)

Monrovia 13-11-1 (4-6)

South Pasadena 2-20-1 (0-10)

Game Recaps

La Cañada 6, Monrovia 0; Monrovia 20, South Pasadena 0; Flintridge Sacred Heart 11, Louisville 4; Crescenta Valley 14, Glendale 1; Cresecenta Valley 13, Pasadena 1; Arcadia 11, Hoover 5; Burbank 4, Arcadia 3; Burbank 12, Muir 0; Flintridge Prep 9, Rio Hondo Prep 2; Bishop Amat 10, La Salle 4; La Salle 12, Bishop Montgomery 11

Games to Watch:

Tuesday: Temple City at Monrovia, 3:30 p.m.

The Rams escaped in the 11th inning the last time these two faced off when Jessica Loicano crossed the plate. Temple City since has lost two of three in league play, while the Wildcats have won two of three. In all reality, the playoffs have already begun for Monrovia since the Rams own the tie breaker, and a win for Monrovia means they can control their own destiny.

Crescenta Valley at Burbank, 3:30 p.m.

After the Falcons beat the Bulldogs 2-0 in late March, Burbank has since won 9 of 13 and are now in position to compete for the Pacific League crown. A win for the Falcons would eliminate the Bulldogs from title contention, and they’d be in position for at least a share of the crown with a win on Thursday.

Thursday: San Marino at Monrovia, 3:30 P.M.

If all goes well for the Wildcats, their playoff lives will still be on the line as they face the Titans. The Titans have already locked up second place in Rio Hondo League, but they will look to prepare for the playoffs in their final game of the year.

Westridge at Flintridge Prep, 4 p.m.

If the Rebels take down Chadwick on Tuesday, they will compete for at least a share of the Prep League title as they take on the Tigers. Flintridge Prep knows this opponent all too well, suffering its first loss in league play 8-6 on April 19 at Westridge. Caitlin Gillman threw the entire game for the Rebels, and was put in a hole early and could not get out of it. With Van der goot looking as healthy as ever, she would most likely earn the start for Flintridge Prep and put her team in position for first place.

Other games this week:

Monday: St. Paul vs. La Salle (Big League Dreams, West Covina), 3:15 p.m.

Tuesday: La Cañada at South Pasadena, 3:30 p.m.; Arcadia at Burbank, 3:30 p.m.; Muir at Burroughs, 3:30 p.m.; Flintridge Sacred Heart at Harvard Westlake, 3:45 p.m.; Chadwick at Flintridge Prep, 4:00 p.m.

Thursday: Maranatha vs. La Salle (Big League Dreams, West Covina), 3:15 p.m.; Pasadena at Temple City, 3:30 p.m.; Arcadia at Crescenta Valley, 3:30 p.m.; Pasadena at Muir, 3:30 p.m.; Flintridge Sacred Heart at Notre Dame, 4:45 p.m.

Friday: Crescenta Valley vs. Paraclete, 4:00 p.m.%

%-High Desert Tournament (Lancaster)

A previous version of this arcticle incorrectly stated that Flintridge Prep's game against Mayfield on Thursday was on Friday. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday. Patch.com apologizes for the error.