By Eric Terrazas, Staff Writer
California High School’s softball team continued its hot streak at the Savanna Tournament, which concluded over the weekend at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim.
The Condors, led by Trisha Trujillo’s stellar pitching and a productive offense, defeated Simi Valley 8-1 in Saturday’s championship game. California reached the final earlier in the day with a 5-0 win over St. Paul.
“It was a big win for us,” California coach Jim Kruse said. “It was a pretty good accomplishment. Simi Valley won last year’s tournament. They were the favorites to win the tournament.”
California was locked into a tight battle with Simi Valley as the game was deadlocked 1-1 in the fifth inning.
The Condors, however, scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Trujillo, named the tournament’s most valuable player, earned the victory by allowing three hits and striking out four.
Seven Condors had RBIs. Junior outfielder Miranda Perez went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
“Our speed got to them,” Kruse said. “Our catcher Lorren Sharp did a good job.
“Many players got big hits in the (fifth) inning. It was a pretty good day.”
Saturday’s triumph over Simi Valley was the 11th in a row for the Condors (15-3), who posted a 4-0 record at the 16-team tournament.
California started its run in the tourney with two games on March 23, which included a 5-1 victory over Santa Margarita and a 9-2 win over El Segundo.
“To win those three games is pretty huge,” Kruse said of the Condors’ triumphs over El Segundo, Santa Margarita and Simi Valley.
The Condors’ game against St. Paul was scoreless until California scored twice in the sixth. California secured the win with a three-run seventh inning.
Trujillo also earned the win against the Swordsmen by scattering five hits, allowing no walks and striking out eight.
Perez went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Trujillo, Rachel Shumaker and Rayleen Pallan each drove in a run for the Condors.
California now sets its focus on the Del Rio League portion of the schedule. It opens league play April 9 at Whittier and follows with an April 11 home game against La Serna. Both games are scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m.
“It’s one of our best starts of the season,” Kruse said. “We’re 15-3 going into league. You never know what’s going to happen in our league because everybody is trying to beat everybody. The league is going to be tough.
“We’re playing really well as a team and that’s huge. That’s all you can want as a coach.”
HERALDS HOST TOURNEY
Whittier Christian is scheduled to host its eight-team softball tournament starting Thursday and concluding Saturday.
The Heralds will begin the tournament at 4 p.m. on Thursday against Grace Brethren. Whittier Christian then faces Villa Park on Friday at 4 p.m. and El Rancho at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
eric.terrazas@sgvn.com
twitter.com/WhittierPreps 562-567-7534
