Oaks Christian softball rallies in 7th to win opener in Carew Classic

ANAHEIM — El Modena pitcher Sara Pinedo clung to a one-run lead going into the final inning of the Vanguards’ game against Oaks Christian on Thursday at Peralta Park.

The Lions spoiled Pinedo’s brilliant outing, scratching out two runs in the seventh for a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Vanguards in the opening round of the Michelle Carew Classic softball tournament.

After giving up a hit to the second batter of the game, Pinedo, an LMU commit, struck out seven batters in a row and had allowed only two hits with nine strikeouts heading into the seventh.

Gianna Garcia led off the bottom of the seventh with a hit for the Lions (5-2), who were designated the home team. The next batter, Ava Prinn, laid down a bunt that was meant to be a sacrifice, but the ball rolled passed the charging third baseman and wound up being a hit.

Savanna Campos also bunted, but an attempt to force out Garcia at third was unsuccessful and the Lions suddenly had the bases loaded with no outs.

After Pinedo struck out the next hitter for the first out, Chloe Morales hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Garcia from third with the tying run.

The Vanguards (11-4), who are ranked No. 4 in Orange County, were one out away from sending the contest to extra innings, but Reagan Beck blooped a single into left-center to drive in the winning run.

El Modena had opportunities to add to their lead early in the game.

Monica Garcia singled to lead off the second for the Vanguards and reached third on a two-base error on the play.

Kylie Tafua then came up and doubled home Garcia to give the Vanguards a 1-0 lead.

But Tafua wound up stranded on third.

El Modena also had a runner thrown out at third for the final out in the sixth.

“She gave us every opportunity to put that ballgame away early,” El Modena coach Bobby Calderon said of Pinedo. “And we just did not capitalize. We did not get the runs that we needed to win the ballgame. We had them on the ropes.”

However, Oaks Christian pitcher Sophia Debs deserves credit for the Vanguards’ inability to add to their lead, Lions coach Cheyenne Coyle said.

The Lions executing on offense was also a huge factor, the coach said.

“The home run isn’t always going to come through, or the big hit’s not going to come through,” Coyle said. “We’ve been working on bunts and things like that. So, I’m proud of how they executed.”