Lila Morris threw 167 pitches, and recorded the final five outs by strikeout to send Riverside Prep to the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 softball championship game.
Morris’ 15-strikeout performance, and a pair of home runs in the ninth inning lifted the Silver Knights to a 4-2 victory in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon.
The freshman allowed six hits and walked five batters. Morris was matched up against fellow freshman Emily Morici, who struck out eight batters and allowed four runs on nine hits.
The pitchers entered the game with a combined 454 strikeouts this season.
“I knew going into the game it was gonna be a battle, especially knowing how legit the opposing pitcher was,” Morris said. “Knowing that meant it was gonna be a close game and come down to whichever pitcher could hold it most. My team was able to come up big in big moments, especially with the two big home runs in the ninth. Having each other’s backs both defensively and offensively is what gave us the edge to take the victory.”
Dos Pueblos got on the board in the bottom of the third on a double from Kacey Hurley, which scored Anastacia Brunner.
Riverside Prep struck for a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Sadie Martinez hit a lead-off single. Breeanna Garcia drove the next pitch for a double to tie the game. Daisy Hernandez then doubled, but Garcia was held up at third base.
Two batters later, America Barajas singled up the middle, for the lead, scoring Garcia for a 2-1 lead.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Morici tied the game with a solo home run. But Morris retired the next two batters, forcing extra innings.
America Barajas led off the ninth inning for Riverside Prep by smacking a home run to center field. Alicia Casarez followed that up with a home run to left field two pitches later, giving the Aztecs a two-run lead.
Morris ended the game by striking out the side.
“I’m just so proud of them,” said Riverside Prep head coach Lou Allen. “I mean, they have played some of the toughest teams that we could probably face. And they come out here and they just perform every game. It’s so fun to watch, and it’s just awesome, in my first year being here, that you can just see how they react to tough situations. They’ve got that mentality where if somebody’s gonna mess with us, we’re gonna mess with you right back, and we’re gonna give it to you. And they’re gonna prove that on the field every single time.”
Riverside Prep (27-4) advances to face Great Oak, which beat North Torrance 4-3 in the other semifinal. The softball championships will be held from May 28 through 30 at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.
Division 6 — Arroyo 11, Hesperia Christian 4
At El Monte, the Patriots were held scoreless until the seventh inning.
Arroyo scored four runs in the first inning and added five more in the third.
For Hesperia Christian, Riley Piorkowski went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases, while Mariah Rivera and Rilee Cooper each had a hit, RBI and scored a run.
Division 6 — Irvine 14, Granite Hills 2
At Irvine, the Cougars were held to just three hits in the semifinals.
Granite Hills scored a run in the first and second inning. Taylor Godwin hit a solo home run in the first inning and Alina Salgado scored in the second inning after doubling and scoring on an error.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: CIF-SS Softball Semis | 15 Ks by Morris, pair of homers lead Riverside Prep
Reporting by Jose Quintero, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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