Senior Eliza Crawford led the way for the Lancers with two timely hits while sophomore Nicole Warren continued to dazzle in the circle as Lakewood took the second round CIF playoff match up with Valley View, 2-1, in the extra innings.
While Warren held the Eagles to three hits and struck out seven, the defense was on point behind her. Said Lakewood coach Andy Miramontes, “we’re known for our bats, but the gloves won us the game today… that’s the best defense we’ve played all year.”
The flashed leather was highlighted by a diving catch from Nicole Rodgers in the sixth inning. After senior Kylie Grabrowski drove in Crawford for the first run of the game in the top of the inning, the Eagles put a runner in scoring position in the bottom half. But on a low line drive to left field, Rodgers dove forward and just got the tip of her glove under the ball. She rolled to her back and held the ball up for the umpire to see: a perfect snow cone.
The Lancers took the 1-0 lead to the seventh, but the home team extended the game with some help from an error to tie it, 1-1.
In the top of the eighth it was time for the Lakewood seniors to continue their dominance. Crawford drove a one-out double into the gap, and senior Sarah Carrasco brought her home with a double of her own. Warren ended the afternoon by sitting the Eagles down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the eighth.
Lakewood moves on to the CIF Quarterfinals and will travel on Thursday to see Vista Murrieta.
Photos By Bob Sykes
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