Panthers go out with a bang vs. Titans

Pioneer Valley softball, despite knowing its chances at the playoffs were slim, still wanted to go out with a bang.

And with Jessica Garcia as strong as ever in the circle, and Crystal Hernandez providing some pop at the plate, the Panthers did just that in an 11-3 win over the host Nipomo Titans on Thursday in both team's regular-season finale.

Garcia pitched a complete-game, four-hitter and Crystal Hernandez pounded her first home run of the season, a shot to deep right field for a three-run longball in the sixth inning.

The Panthers did everything they could to stick in the playoff hunt - hoping to be the fourth and final team from the PAC-7 to make the CIF playoffs. Pioneer Valley finished the regular season with a 6-6 record.

Unfortunately for Pioneer Valley, Arroyo Grande and Atascadero both figure to edge out their southern counterpart. Arroyo Grande is a lock for the playoffs after defeating San Luis Obispo 5-4 on Thursday. Atascadero sits at 6-5, closing out its regular season with a game at Righetti today. However, even with a loss, Atascadero will edge out Pioneer Valley in the league's second tiebreaker. In the case of a tie, the first tiebreaker is determined by head-to-head records. Atascadero and Pioneer Valley split their two games against each other. The second tiebreaker is a complex points system based on “quality wins.” Atascadero figures to beat out Pioneer Valley in this department with its win against San Luis Obispo late in the season.

Even so, Pioneer Valley can hang its hat on this: Most of the lineup will return next season. Pioneer Valley loses just two seniors. With that said, one of those two seniors is Garcia, one of the league's top arms.

Garcia was on her game Thursday, and her offense gave her more than enough support.

Pioneer Valley scored twice in the first inning, Crystal Hernandez and Salena Hernandez crossing the plate on Adriana Garcia's single to right, just below the second baseman's reach. Nipomo did respond on Camile Castillo's sacrifice grounder in the bottom of the frame.

But Pioneer Valley's real breakthrough came in the second. Kristin Noriega - Pioneer Valley's second senior - followed up Janice Luna's lead-off single with her own infield single, a la bunt. Luna was forced out at second in the next at bat.

Then Amanda Gonzales hit a ball curving around third base for a triple, scoring two more runs for a 4-1 Panther lead. Salena Hernandez's single up the middle scored Amanda Gonzales.

Nipomo tried to chip away with a run in the third, coming from Amanda Melendez's shot high to the left field wall for an RBI double.

Melendez was one of four Nipomo seniors honored on Thursday. The other three were Sasha Stackhouse, Priscilla Medina and Daniela Gomez.

Nipomo coach Matt Paradis said of Stackhouse, “She is a natural leader that the team really rallied around.”

Of Melendez - who was Nipomo's big bat Thursday with two of the team's RBIs - Paradis said, “She embodies all that is softball and the knowledge she imparted to the younger girls was important.”

Melendez's single in the fifth inning plated Dana Leyva - drawing the Titans to within 6-3.

Nipomo softball is another young team looking to follow Titan football, water polo, golf and others in a league breakthrough.

“We're possibly on the cusp, ready to turn the corner,” Paradis said. “Maybe next year we can shake up the league. We were able to give the best teams some good games this season.”

Pioneer Valley - itself a young program - is in much the same position.

The Panthers broke the game open in the sixth inning when Crystal Hernandez drove a three-run homer over the right-center wall.

“I was coming off an injury, so it was a nice way to make up for it,” Hernandez said.

Garcia helped her own cause on the mound with a double to score two more in the seventh inning. She ended the game catching a liner and doubling off a Titan at first base.

“We're keeping our fingers crossed, but if this was our last game, it was a great way to end the season,” Pioneer Valley coach Matt Andree said.

Baseball

Atascadero 13, Righetti 11

Greyhounds sophomore Bryce Cherry ended Righetti's playoff hopes with a two-run walk-off home run in the last of the seventh inning at Atascadero.

The Warriors tied the game with five runs in the top of the seventh. Atascadero (8-9 PAC-7 League) rallied from 6-1 down to clinch the fourth and last league playoff spot. Righetti is 7-10 in league games.

The teams finish their regular season with a 4:30 p.m. game at Righetti today. Jon Velazquez and Ethan Rae both had two hits for Righetti. Rae and Taylor Mowatt doubled.

The game was moved to Thursday because of the death of an AHS student at the school Wednesday.

Cabrillo 5, Carpinteria 3

The Conquistadores squared their record at 13-13 with a non-league win at Carpinteria.

Zach Pecyna hit a two-run home run in Cabrillo's three-run sixth inning. Winning pitcher Ryan McGinty (1-0) hit a solo home run in the first and doubled.

Cabrillo's regular season is over. If Templeton loses today, the Conquistadores go to the playoffs. If the Eagles beat Morro Bay, Cabrillo's season is done.

May 9, 2008