Mater Dei players celebrate after winning the championship of Alan Dugard Classic. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).
Mater Dei’s softball team jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 9-4 victory over Palos Verdes in the Gold bracket championship game of the 44th annual Alan Dugard Softball Classic Saturday night at Deanna Manning Stadium.
The Monarchs (10-7) won all five games in the tournament and snapped a 10-game winning streak by Palos Verdes (10-3).
“We played together and our game was strong,” said Mater Dei coach Nicole Thomas. “We pitched well, played good defense, and hit; It was a good tournament for us and it will build our confidence as we continue with Trinity League play.”
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The Monarchs pushed across two runs in the first inning, highlighted by Lelie Salue’s RBI double to deep center. Salue had a huge game as she went 4-for-4, scored a run, and had three RBI and helped Mater Dei win its sixth game in the last seven contests.
“I know if I get on base my teammates are going to bring me in,” said Salue.
Salue highlighted the Monarchs five-run second inning with a RBI single. Mater Dei pounded out four hits and took advantage of two Sea Kings errors in the inning to build a 7-1 lead after two innings. Mikayla Macisaac, Audrey Eylerand Sophia Heiman also added RBI hits during their second inning rally.
Heiman’s RBI single in the third inning upped Mater Dei’s lead to 9-1. Heiman had two hits, two RBI, and played flawlessly defensively in her first varsity game as a catcher.
Audrey Penera pitched a complete game for the Monarchs and earned the win.
“I felt comfortable out there tonight,” said Penera. “I was throwing my drops on the inside and outside of the plate and when Palos Verdes got a few hits, Sophia (Heiman) and I made the proper adjustments. I thought Sophia did a great job catching tonight.”
Adela Randazzoa launched a high towering solo homer – her third of the season – over the right filed fence giving the Sea Kings a run in the fourth inning. Palos Verdes added two more runs in the fifth but was unable to draw any closer as Penera retired the final seven Sea Kings batters to close out the game.
Aly Carrillo had a hit, scored two runs and was on base twice to help lead the Monarchs charge.
“We wanted to come out with lots of energy from the start and take charge,” said Carrillo. “We came out on fire and set the tone early, that was our game plan.”
Macisaac also had a strong game as she beat out two infield hits, had an RBI, a stolen base and played solid defense at shortstop for Mater Dei.
“Defense is our strong point of ur game,” said Macisaac, who is committed to playing at Kenyon College in Ohio next season. The Monarchs infielders had 14 putouts in the game.
Despite the setback, Palos Verdes Coach Ashely Hughey said the tournament was a positive experience for her team.
“We saw good pitching and played very good competition it this tournament,” said Hughley, who is in her fourth year as head coach off the Sea Kings. “At the end of the day, this tournament helped us grow and get better.”
Notes:
—-Mater Dei knocked off Redondo Union in a semifinal game earlier on Saturday, 9-0, to advance to the finals, while Palos Verdes defeated Los Altos in the other Saturday semifinal.
—The Monarchs defeated Irvine, Burroughs, Torrance, Redondo Union, and Palos Verdes in the tournament.
—The annual Alan Dugard Softball Classic is named in honor of the former long-time Woodbridge Warriors’ coach.
—The Sea Kings lost their first two games of the season and then won their next 10 games, outscoring their opponents 81-13, before falling to Mater Dei on Saturday.
—-JSerra won the Silver Bracket championship and Corona Centennial won the Bronze Bracket championship on Saturday.
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