SUNRISE REGION: Confident Cougars top Wolves
Coronado softball coach Missy Krueger figured her team was too good to lose to the same team three times in one season, so she was confident as she sent her players onto the field Wednesday.
That confidence was justified almost immediately, as the Cougars scored seven runs in the first two innings of a surprisingly easy 10-2 victory over Basic in the second round of the Sunrise Region softball tournament at Foothill.
Coronado (21-11) advanced to the tourney’s winners’ bracket final and will face Green Valley in a 3 p.m. game today at Foothill.
“It’s hard to beat a team three times,” said Krueger, whose squad lost both regular-season Southeast League games to the Wolves. “And this was the game that counted. We just wanted to come out and do what we do best.”
Krueger said her team’s dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Rancho on Tuesday played a role in Wednesday’s outcome.
“That was a big victory on Tuesday,” she said. “We built off that, and that’s what we’ve been stressing.”
Coronado cashed in on three walks in the first inning with a two-run single by Kiley Harrison and an RBI double by Katie Dawson to take a 4-0 lead.
The Cougars added three more in the second on a two-run double by Katie Cochran and an RBI single by Lee Harrison.
“We were aggressive today,” Krueger said. “We wanted to jump on them first, and when you do that, good things happen.”
Danielle Amato, who tossed three no-hit innings to open the game for Coronado, was relieved by Lee Harrison in the fourth. Harrison, returning from an injury, struggled but kept her team in control by recording timely outs.
The Wolves (15-10) finally got on the board in the fourth inning on a scoring fly by Teuila Sheehan, and added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Leah Causey to cut the deficit to 8-2.
But Amato returned to the circle to log the last four outs for the Cougars, who padded their lead with two more runs in the sixth.
Krueger said her ace was instrumental in the win.
“When we get the lead for Danielle, she typically builds on that as the game goes on,” Krueger said.
Kiley Harrison went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs to lead the Coronado offense, and Cochran went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
Basic will meet Las Vegas (20-12) in an elimination game at 3 p.m. today at Coronado.
Green Valley 1, Foothill 0 — At Foothill, Fenixx Henderson tossed a three-hitter to lead the Gators (16-10), who beat the Falcons with an unearned run in the sixth inning.
The Falcons (23-8) fell into the losers’ bracket and will face Rancho (11-14-1) in a 5 p.m. game today at Coronado.
With Henderson and Foothill’s Alex Petrolia locked in a pitchers’ duel, Lindsay Seberry led off the sixth with a bunt single for the Gators. Cori Sutton advanced Seberry to second with a sacrifice bunt, and Henderson lined a one-hopper to Falcons second baseman Chelsi Stewart.
Stewart elected to go after the lead runner at third with the throw, which got away from Foothill third baseman Gabby Canibeyaz. Seberry scored on the play, and Henderson advanced to second.
Petrolia pitched her way out of further trouble, but Henderson did not allow a serious threat after the second inning.
Marissa Iwanylo went 2-for-3 to lead the Gators. Lauren Penksa went 2-for-3 for Foothill.
Las Vegas 11, Chaparral 5 — At Coronado, Cierra Turner tripled and drove in three runs, helping the Wildcats eliminate the Cowboys (7-12).
Taylor Price supplied an RBI double for Las Vegas, which jumped out to an 8-0 lead after two innings.
Rancho 3, Eldorado 1 — At Coronado, Brandy Marlett tossed a two-hitter and struck out 11 as the Rams knocked out the Northeast League champion Sundevils (23-6).
Marlett also supplied two of the Rams’ five hits, as Rancho scored three runs in the second and rode Marlett’s arm to the win.
Deja Wargo tripled for Eldorado.