The girls from Mater Dei Catholic High School appear to have another strong season in the making after the Lady Crusaders defeated Metro-Mesa League rival Otay Ranch, 18-6, last Saturday to claim the championship title of the 32nd Hilltop softball tournament.
In all, Mater Dei Catholic (11-2-1) won three playoff games in Saturday’s tournament finale. The Lady Crusaders opened the day with a 4-0 quarterfinal victory against Southwest El Centro and then defeated Scripps Ranch, 5-0, in the semifinals before advancing to the title contest.
Mater Dei Catholic rapped out 13 hits in the championship game while Otay Ranch committed four errors. The Lady Crusaders blew open the game with 10 runs in the third inning after trailing early by a 5-0 score.
Kellie White pitched in two of the three games, hurling a shutout in the semifinals while allowing one hit and striking out seven batters and then striking out five batters in three-and-one-third innings in the championship game to earn tournament MVP honors.
White, Sophie Herrera and Reyna Jamison each collected three RBI in the championship game while Anissa Carrillo drove in two runs and Alexis Morales, Eva Gonzales, Sydney Gastineau, Amorette Hernandez and Alana Burges-Campbell each had one RBI.
Kelsey Munoz fired a complete game one-hitter in the quarterfinal win while striking out 10 batters. She also went 2-for-4 at the plate.
Otay Ranch defeated Brawley, 5-2, in the opening quarterfinals and then hammered Clairemont, 11-2, in the semifinals.
Kalalaelisa Toomalatau went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in the win over Clairemont while Desiree Luquin went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBI.
Jazzy Vasquez scattered four hits against Brawley while Josie Bachtell scattered six hits against Clairemont.
Erika Rodriguez had two RBI to lead the Lady Mustangs (8-7) in the championship game.
