Slipshod Valencia Bows Out

The similarities between the Valencia High and Esperanza softball teams far outnumber the differences.

Both are young teams that rode timely hitting and talented sophomore pitchers to landmark seasons, Valencia winning its first Foothill League title in the program’s seven-year history and the Aztecs claiming a share of their first Sunset League championship since 1979.

The difference?

Esperanza made the plays on Thursday in a 1-0 Southern Section Division I quarterfinal victory at Valencia. The No. 2-seeded Vikings did not.

Consecutive errors by Valencia to start the fifth led to freshman catcher Ashley Johnson’s run-scoring single to right field.

That was all right-hander Kristen Dedmon (19-4) would need. She struck out eight in a two-hitter, her seventh consecutive shutout and 16th of the season.

Tori Rocco (18-4) of Valencia (25-5) struck out five and pitched a three-hitter, but she didn’t get support when she needed it most.

“It’s hard when we do all the phenomenal plays and the routine plays come and we just bow our heads,” said catcher Lauren Watson, who walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

Kira Lindwall’s leadoff grounder in the fifth for Esperanza (23-5-1) went between the legs of second baseman Natalie Mueggler, and Jen Schroeder reached base when first baseman Jessica Robinson’s foot couldn’t find the bag on a throw from third base.

One out later, Johnson delivered a sharp single between Mueggler and Robinson.

Valencia stranded five runners, four in scoring position.