Technically, this softball game lasted seven innings Friday. Really, it was over after Pioneer Valley's defense cracked in the top of the third.

The Panthers made two errors and then Lauren Redberg, Paso Robles' number nine hitter, plated two runs with the first hit of the game, a single over Panther center fielder Ashley Spencer's head. The Bearcats were on their way to a 7-0 win in a PAC-7 League game at Pioneer Valley.

Redberg wound up with two hits in Paso Robles' 11-hit attack. “Lauren's a sophomore, and she swings a good stick,” said Bearcats coach Billy Tidwell.

The first-place Bearcats (8-1, 23-3) wrapped up a playoff spot. Pioneer Valley is 5-4, 9-13.

Paso Robles seniors Michelle Moses and Stacie Salazar are two of the most dominant pitchers in the area. Moses' earned run average going in was 0.30, and the Panthers kept swinging through her pitches.

The right-hander helped the Bearcats clinch a trip to the post-season party by striking out 12. She gave up two hits.

Salena Hernandez and Tiffany Rios had the Panthers' hits, both singles. There were no extra base hits. Hernandez finally broke up Moses' no-hitter with her hit in the fourth.

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Pioneer Valley coach Matt Andree said, “You have to hand it to their pitcher. Her ball has lots of movement. There's a reason she's going to Fresno State on a full-ride (softball scholarship).”

Tidwell said, “In her mind she's going there to pitch, but she can play any position except catcher.”

He chuckled. “She could play it if she wanted to. She just doesn't want to.”

The Panthers started crisply enough. Right-handed pitcher Jessica Garcia began by retiring the hard-hitting Moses on a fly ball to Spencer, then third baseman Crystal Hernandez and shortstop Adriana Garcia fielded ground balls and threw to first baseman Salena Hernandez for outs.

The Bearcats, who were errorless, slowly pulled away after the Panthers' rough defensive third inning, though. Another error helped the visitors to three fifth-inning runs. Cheyenne Rael singled in one, Taylor Keily came home on an error, then Amy Tognazzini singled in Rael.

Pinch hitters Heather Buckley and Kayla Justice both singled in the seventh inning. Keily, with her second hit, drove in Moses with the Bearcats' last run.

Andree said, “It's kind of tough when you give four unearned runs to a good team like that.”

Now his team looks ahead to an important week. Pioneer Valley started Friday in a three-way tie for second place with San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande. Atascadero was in fifth place at 2-5 in league games. The Panthers play at Atascadero at 4 p.m. Tuesday, then host San Luis Obispo at the same time next Friday.

Andree said, “We beat Atascadero by a run the first time we played them, and lost to San Luis Obispo the first time we played THEM. This is a big week coming up for us.” Four league teams are guaranteed playoff berths.

Atascadero gave the Panthers some help. The Greyhounds beat San Luis Obispo 3-1 Friday.

Garcia got out of a bases-loaded, two-out spot in the sixth. Adriana Garcia snared a sharp grounder on her knees, then flipped to second baseman Kristin Noriega for an inning-ending forceout.

Righetti 4, Nipomo 3

The Warriors (3-6, 5-15) saw the Titans tie the score with two runs in the top of the seventh and then won in the last of the eighth at Righetti.

Righetti starting pitcher Brittany Ford singled in Amiee Camacho with the winning run.

Lauren Irwin was 2-for-3 with two runs scored for Righetti. Garcia helped herself by getting two hits and driving in two. Camacho went 2-for-3 and scored run.

Morro Bay 1, Cabrillo 0

At Morro Bay, Cori Gacad scored on Claire Hoose's line drive out in the sixth inning. The Pirates are 5-3 in the Los Padres League and 14-8 overall.

Morro Bay's Kim Dauer and Kiley Shea Aldridge both pitched two-hit complete games and struck out six. Cabrillo is 5-4 in the LPL.

Templeton 2, Santa Maria 0

Saints starting pitcher Alyssa Gutierrez had another fine outing, allowing only two hits, but once again faced a hot pitcher - this time Dartmouth-bound Kat Hicks, who allowed just one hit in an LPL game.

The Eagles (8-1 LPL) scored a run in the first and an unearned run in the fourth.

Santa Maria (1-8) will next host Santa Ynez on Tuesday.

St. Joseph 7, Santa Ynez 2

Caitlin Voss and Alexa Sanders both drove in two runs as the Knights (6-3, 12-9) won a LPL game on the road.

Michaela Valencia had two hits and drove in a run for St. Joseph. Teammate Mariah Cocholo went 2-for-4.

Santa Ynez dropped to 1-8 in league games.

VCA 21-25, Shandon 14-19

SHANDON - The Lions (5-5, 5-8) swept a Coast Valley League doubleheader from the Outlaws.

Krista Hall drove in six runs for the Lions the second gme. Jessica Sendejas was 3-for-3 with three RBIs in the first.

April 26, 2008