Photos By Bob Sykes

The Lakewood Lancers brought their hitting shoes to the Inland Empire yesterday and upset the Vista Murrieta Broncos, 11-10, in the quarterfinals of the CIFSS Division 2 Playoffs.  Senior Eliza Crawford’s grand slam home run in the fifth inning proved to be the difference as freshman Janel Hayes rebounded to quell the Bronco rally in the seventh inning.

The Lancers drew first blood in the first inning on an RBI single from Kylie Grabrowski to go up 1-0, but Vista Murrieta came back and took advantage of Lakewood errors to score four in the third inning.

“On Tuesday our gloves saved our bats,” said Lakewood head coach Andy Miramontes. “Today, our bats saved the bad defense.”

Lakewood answered the four runs immediately in the fourth inning with two walks and three doubles from Shelby Blair, Amanda Robinson and Sarah Carrasco to take the lead back, 7-4. However, Vista Murrieta had an answer as Sierra Romero hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning to make it 7-6.

In the fifth inning the Lancers loaded the bases for Crawford, who blasted a 2-1 pitch over the fence in right-center field to give Lakewood the 11-6 lead. It was the second baseman’s only hit of the day to go along with three drawn walks.

Lakewood starter Nicole Warren gave up two hits to start the sixth inning, so Miramontes replaced her with freshman Janel Hayes. The Broncos continued to comeback against the young hurler and scored four runs on four hits to pull within one, 11-10. But Hayes settled down and came back out for the seventh to sit down Vista Murrieta in order. She got the save facing three batters who already had six combined hits on the day.

The Lancers will return home on Tuesday to see Temecula Valley in the semifinals.