Hart Wins Softball Version of Late Show

The Santa Barbara High softball team was more than an hour late for its first-round Southern Section 4-A Division playoff game against Hart on Friday, leaving Hart fans wondering if the extra time in the sun might lead to a cold performance.

But Hart Coach Al Weil remained positive.

“Any team can overcome any adversity,� Weil said.

Although the Indians were the first to break a sweat, Santa Barbara felt the most heat, dropping a 6-0 decision to the top-ranked Indians.

Hart starter Kym Weil (24-1) melted Don batters, scattering three hits and striking out 10 to earn the win.

“We pretty much relaxed after we got all our runs,� said the younger Weil, who has 277 strikeouts this season. “My location was a little bit off today, more than usual.�

Location wasn’t much of a problem for Hart batters. The Indians (28-1) pounded out seven hits and scored three runs in each of the second and fourth innings off Santa Barbara right-hander Dana Wackerman (14-10).

Kelly Kepplinger, who will play for College of the Canyons next year, was two for three--including a run-scoring triple in the fourth--and had three runs batted in.

Danielle Wood started the first rally with a single. After a walk and a sacrifice, Nikki Fox and Kepplinger each singled to give Hart a 3-0 lead. The Indians added three more runs in the fourth on a single, Kepplinger’s triple and two errors.