Dawson’s one-hitter helps Clark secure playoff spot

Clark’s senior pitcher was determined to get her team into the Sunset Region playoffs no matter what Spring Valley threw, or hit, at her.

Dawson retired 21 of the Grizzlies’ 22 batters, allowing only a two-out bloop single to right-center in the second inning, as the Chargers locked up a playoff berth with a 9-0 win over the visiting Grizzlies.

“She was just amazing today; she’s been amazing all season,” Clark coach Andrea Leavitt said. “Today was a big game just for us to clinch that playoff spot.”

Clark (17-11, 10-5 Southwest) will be either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed from the Southwest League and will face either Shadow Ridge or Centennial in a first-round game May 12 at Majestic Park. The loss eliminated Spring Valley (11-14, 8-7) from playoff contention.

“This was a game we needed to win,” Dawson said. “I just tried my hardest. I knew I had a good defense behind me, and they helped me out.”

Dawson, though, was lucky to survive the second batter of the game.

Spring Valley senior first baseman Jasmine Wilson ripped a line drive that deflected off Dawson’s nonthrowing shoulder. Shortstop Anna Jaehn collected the ball and threw out Wilson.

Dawson appeared to be shaken up, but she wasn’t about to leave the game.

“I’m going to be sore tomorrow, I can already tell,” Dawson said. “I just wanted to get the game over with. If I was hurt, oh well. This was the game we wanted.”

She struck out seven and escaped injury again in the sixth when Katie Garcia’s liner ricocheted off Dawson’s leg to third baseman Julianna Thornock, who threw out Garcia.

“She’s strong, and she plays through pain a lot,” Leavitt said. “When she says she’s OK, I know she’s OK.”

Dawson, who took over as Clark’s No. 1 pitcher this season after strikeout artist Jordyn McDonald graduated last year, will have something of a family reunion at the region playoffs.

Dawson’s cousins, Bonanza shortstop Alex Teed and Cimarron-Memorial pitcher Carrie Sheehan, also will participate in the region tournament.

“I talk to them a lot; in fact, I’ll see them tonight,” said Dawson, who has another cousin on Bonanza’s junior varsity team. “I’m definitely ready to play them again. I try not to think about how we’re related when we play. I just want to win.”

Dawson also got Clark’s offense going, singling home Jasmine Fukuda with the game’s first run in the first inning.

Fukuda finished 4-for-4 with three runs, including one in Clark’s seven-run sixth inning. Dawson and Jaehn each went 2-for-4.