Cloverdale plays host to Hoopa Valley in Division 5 semifinal
Great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting have been the keys to playoff success since cavemen roamed the earth, and the Cloverdale Lady Eagles used the formula to perfection on Saturday against St. Bernard’s to notch a 10-0 victory.
The win propelled the #1 seeded Eagles into the North Coast Section Division 5 semifinals against visiting #4 Hoopa Valley on Wednesday, May 30 (after press time). Should Cloverdale win, it will take on the survivor of the #2 St. Vincent versus #3 Clear Lake game in a championship tilt on June 1 or 2 (TBD).
Cloverdale (17-1) drew a first-round bye in the NCS tournament, while the #8 St. Bernard’s Crusaders defeated #9 University, 8-0.
The quarterfinal clash with the Crusaders was postponed a day after heavy rains on Friday and played under ideal conditions Saturday afternoon.
The score remained scoreless after two but the Eagles struck for five runs in the third inning, the big blow coming on a two-run, bases-loaded single from Lane Hughes.
With pitcher Tehya Bird on cruise control, the Eagles put the game on ice with another five runs in the fourth to force an early stoppage for a 10-0 victory.
Bird (5 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 6 Ks) earned the win, while top hitters were Heather Sterling (2 for 3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Vanessa Fisher (2 for 3, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), Hughes (1 for 3, 2 RBIs), Aly Bernal (1 for 2, 2 runs), Alyssa Moffet (1 for 2, run) and Janaye Hammond (1 for 2, 2 RBIs).
Baseballers bounced in quarterfinals
The #7 seeded varsity baseball Eagles reached the end of a strong spring campaign in the NCS Division 5 quarterfinals, falling at #2 seeded Branson, 15-2.
Cloverdale opened the NCS tourney on May 22 against league rival Clear Lake, winning the rubber match between teams 4-1.
The Eagles sent pitcher Kamrin Mitchell (7 IP, 2 hits, 0 ERs, 4 Ks) to the hill in the NCS playoff opener and the senior ace responded with a two-hit, complete-game gem.
Cloverdale pushed across a solo run in the first and gained separation on a three-run double from Mitchell in the fourth en route to a 4-1 victory.
Pacing the Eagles’ offense were Keller Sibert (2 for 3, run) and Mitchell (1 for 3, 3 RBIs).
It was all Branson in the NCS quarterfinal on May 25, as the host Bulls roughed up Cloverdale pitching for 15 runs in four innings to end the game after five, 15-2.
Dylan Scaramella took the loss, while Drew Edens and Sibert also logged mound duty. Top hitters were Edens (1 for 1, run), Josh Lemley (1 for 2, run) and Sibert (2 RBIs).
