Mission Viejo Baseball, Softball Teams Play in Championship Games with Mixed Results

Both the Mission Viejo baseball and softball teams made the Division 2 finals, but met different results, as the baseball team claimed the divisional crown, dispatching Chino Hills 3-1 Saturday afternoon. The softball team, however, was not as fortunate, dropping a controversial 1-0 decision to Yucaipa Friday evening.

USC commit Patrick Sandoval went the distance, giving up a run on two hits, and striking out seven to lead Mission Viejo to the win. The Diablos (26-10) also won in 2011.

“This is how our games have been this year, “Diablos head coach Chris Ashbach said. “We get great pitching, scrape a couple of runs together and then hope for the best. We played good defense and tried to put some pressure on them, and I think we were finally able to do it in that inning.”

Tied 1-1, the Diablos threatened in the top of the 6th with a walk and a bunt. An error by Chino Hills gave Mission Viejo the 2-1 lead, and then a sacrifice fly drove in another run to give the Diablos a 3-1 lead.

Taylor McQuillin pitched seven near-perfect innings, striking out 12 but top ranked Mission Viejo softball team saw its perfect season ended as the #4 ranked Yucaipa stole a 1-0 victory for the CIF Division 2 title Friday night.

McQuillin matched Yucaipa’s ace Brooke Bollinger pitch for pitch, getting out of jams in the first and third innings, while only giving up four hits in the first three innings. Yucaipa will finally break through, as Jordan Green’s hit up the middle seemingly scored Kayla Martin, but although Mission Viejo claimed that the play was made at the play, the Umpires allowed the run to score.

Bollinger retired nine of the final ten batters she faced to secure the victory, finishing with seven strikeouts, a walk and giving up five hits.

Photo: Mission Viejo Baseball - 2015 Division 2 Champions