Pacifica, Orange Lutheran softball teams advance to CIF-SS Division 1 final – Orange County Register

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Pacifica softball seniors Kayli Counts and Kaniya Bragg call it PPW for short, and it stands for “Pacifica Playoff Way.”

It is the Mariners’ signal to raise their energy for the postseason, and it was visible Saturday at JSerra in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals.

Pacifica’s players wore sparkles and special braids in their hair, and incorporated a white cowgirl hat as their rally cap.

And with a healthy dose of championship experience in their system, the defending Division 1 champion Mariners edged up-and-coming JSerra 1-0 to advance to next week’s championship game at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.

In the final, the Mariners will face Orange Lutheran in a showdown between the top two teams in the Orange County rankings.

Senior pitcher Brynne Nally outdueled freshman Abby Ford of JSerra, and No. 9 batter Malia Cuevas drove in the only run with a two-out single in the fifth inning to score pinch-runner Abby Amezquita from second base.

“What a game,” Pacifica coach Tony Arduino said. “It feels good to get back to the finals. It’s not (easy). I feel like it’s been a tougher road this year than it was last year because the expectations are there for us to get back. All year, the No. 1-ranking in the nation, losing a couple games.”

“But you know what,” the coach added, “this team doesn’t quit. I don’t care what the score is. We were down to our last six outs in the first round and we rallied.”

Nally sealed the victory for Pacifica (26-2) by inducing a groundout to third baseman Brooklyn Reyes with the tying run at second base.

“I was feeling calm,” said Nally, allowed three hits, struck out eight and had two hits at the plate. “If you’re anxious, (or) you’re caught up in the moment, that’s when things get to you. I’m confident in my teammates.”

“Our team is very experienced,” the Long Beach State signee added. “We’ve played in these close games before.”

That experience showed in a key defensive play in the fourth inning. Senior catcher Delaina Ma’ae threw out a runner trying to steal second base with a strong throw to shortstop Bragg, who made a slick tag for the second out.

The play loomed significant as Nally issued her only walk later in the at-bat but she closed the inning inducing a groundout.

Nally helped spark the Mariners’ run-producing fifth inning with a two-out single. Catherine Benitez followed with a walk, setting the stage for Cuevas, a senior who transferred from Los Alamitos.

“(It) was an outside pitch so I just put my bat out there,” Cuevas said. “It was tough for sure (against Ford).”

Ford allowed three hits and struck out seven to help lead JSerra (18-14), which reached the Division 1 semifinals for the first time. Shortstop Kaylee Layfield, one of three key seniors for the Lions, added two hits, including one to lead off the seventh.

“The difference in Pacifica is their depth and their experience and their maturity, ” JSerra coach Katie Stith said. “It was a little bit of learning and growing experience for (us) … but I’m proud of my kids.”

In the other Division 1 semifinal:

Orange Lutheran 13, Murrieta Mesa 1:Brianne Weiss pitched a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts and Kai Minor went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs to lead the No. 1 seeded Lancers (22-3), who reached their first section final since 2016.

In Division 2:

Gahr 7, Mater Dei 2:The host Gladiators defeated their third O.C. team of the playoffs to reach the final.

In Division 7:

Oxford Academy 5, Riverside Prep of Oro Grande 2:Freshman Emily Ganguly scattered seven hits and struck out five and Monique Rojas had two hits and three stolen bases to lead the top-seeded Patriots (25-5) to their first section final. They will play No. 3 Eastside of Lancaster in the finals.