Eagles Rally to Defeat Connelly in Softball, 8-6

The Capistrano Valley Christian softball team did what was needed Monday afternoon, coming from behind twice to defeat Connelly, 8-6, in a San Joaquin League game at Maxwell Park in Anaheim.  

The victory kept the Eagles (13-9, 8-2) tied with Saddleback Valley Christian in the loss column. They have a makeup game remaining Tuesday against Eastside Christian and Friday against Connelly. Both games are scheduled to be played at La Novia Park in San Juan Capistrano.

“There’s no tomorrow for us,” Capistrano Valley Christian coach Bruce Sanborn said. “We have to win out this week.”

If that happens and the Eagles finish tied with Saddleback Valley Christian, they would go into the playoffs as the league's top-seeded team because they won two out of three against the Warriors this season.

That possibility didn’t look so bright when Connelly took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, and the Eagles went down in order in their first two innings.

But a walk, an error and a bunt single loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the third. Connelly managed to get the next two outs without allowing a run, but Kelsey Hodge sent a high fly to left field and the wind and the sun seemed to give Emily Rea problems. The ball tipped off her glove and kept rolling, allowing three runs to score.

Sophomore infielder Chloe Purgason then doubled off the glove of third baseman Alex Vogl, driving in Hodge. Purgason then stole third and came home on an infield single by freshman Charity Harris for a 5-3 lead.

Connelly retook the lead, 6-5, with a run in the bottom of the third and two more in the fifth, but the Eagles mounted another rally in the sixth.

Jessica Haro walked to lead off the inning and Franny Manzo was then hit with a pitch. With one out and runners on second and third, Hodge hit a hard grounder to Vogl at third, who held the runners but her throw pulled first baseman Selina Bernal off the bag.

Bernal appeared to tag Hodge as she ran by, however, neither umpire saw the tag, leaving the bases loaded. Purgason then followed with a base-clearing line drive down the left-field line, giving Capistrano Valley Christian an 8-6 lead.

Manzo walked the leadoff batter to start the bottom of the seventh, but Jordan Hodge came on in relief and got three straight outs to end the game.