Glendora shows again why it’s the undisputed number one team in the Valley

The cities of San Dimas and Glendora may share a border and a Costco, but Glendora High School proved there is a long way between the Sierra and Valle Vista leagues.
The Tartans (14-2), the Tribune’s top-ranked softball team, won the Charter Oak Classic Tournament with an 8-0 victory over the fourth- ranked Saints (15-4). To continue reading, click thread

Charter Oak Classic All-Tournament Team…
MVP: Brandy Andrews-Glendora
Tournament Batting Champ: Yumi Hiroto-San Dimas
Natalie Hernandez-Glendora
Kendra Alfonso-Glendora
Ariel Shore-San Dimas
Kortnie Clark-San Dimas
Catherine Flores-El Rancho
Marilyn Toriz-El Rancho
Chelsea Whisenant-Covina
Molly Ross-Covina
Erin Jones-Wesley-Los Osos
Reina Gaber-South El Monte
Lexi Thomas-Ontario Christian
Aimee Spathias-Charter Oak


The game was called in the bottom of the sixth when the Tartans scored their eighth run to hit the tournament mercy-rule number.

Tartans senior pitcher Dana Waldusky struck out 12 and scattered five hits to pick up her 10th win of the season and remain unbeaten.

“We had a really good tournament,” Tartans coach Reese Mitchell said.

“It’s tough; we had league games in between, so we had eight games in two weeks. The kids were a little tired, but we got great pitching and the kids did a good job of swinging the bat.”

The Tartans scored five runs in the third inning to take control of the game.

Katrina Brandt led off the third with a single. Kristen Peterson attempted to sacrifice but reached base on an error. Amy McElroy then walked to load the bases.

That set the table for Natalie Hernandez and tournament MVP Brandi Andrews. Both singled to drive in runs, and the Tartans had the only runs they would need.

“It was really the whole game,” Saints coach Don Pollard said. “We weren’t on our game. They pushed the issue and we weren’t up to the challenge.

“When your pitcher gets in trouble and your defense buries her, you’re in trouble. With a team like Glendora, you really can’t make any mistakes.”

The Tartans looked like they could be in trouble against the speedy Saints when it was learned that senior catcher Kelly Nolan would miss the game. Freshman Kendra Alfonso, who was named to the all-tournament team, stepped in and looked like a veteran behind the plate in handling Waldusky.

“I was a little nervous,” Alfonso said. “I catch in travel ball, but this is only my third varsity game. Wally has a lot of movement on her ball, and she’s definitely the best pitcher I’ve ever caught.”

Ariel Shore led off the game for the Saints with a bunt single. After Waldusky got her first strikeout, Shore stole her 49th base of the season. But Waldusky struck out the next two hitters to get out of trouble.

“I was more nervous than usual (without Nolan) entering the game,” Waldusky said.

“But I knew Kendra would step up. The first inning, we weren’t on the same page. I was shaking off a lot of pitches, but after that she did an incredible job. I’m really proud of her.”

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