NCS softball playoffs: Geyserville routed in title game

Unfortunately for second-seeded Geyserville, the North Coast Section Division 6 championship softball game on Tuesday will be remembered largely for the cavalcade of errors committed by the Broncos in their ragged 22-5 upset loss in five innings to No. 4 South Fork of Miranda.

Host Geyserville (9-8) registered seven errors, leading to 11 unearned runs for South Fork (8-19), and defensive miscues were a major factor in the decisive top of the second inning when the Cubs plated 11 runs.

“I'm still trying to explain it, it was just poor fielding,” Geyserville coach Jose Flores said. “The second inning was our demise.”

With South Fork up 12-0 after two innings, there was no coming back for Geyserville against Cubs starter Joslin Todd, who went the distance.

“Todd was excellent,” Flores said. “She moved the ball in and out, up and down.”

Geyserville starter Payton Peterson lasted five innings, giving up 22 runs (11 earned) and 13 hits in a rough outing.

“South Fork brought their hitting shoes. They were way up in the batter's box and they were hitting really well,” Flores said. “Mentally, the pitcher in the circle loses it because the team behind her can't field. We didn't help Peyton by not hitting, either.”

The Broncos also had critical ill-advised base-running blunders, including getting two runners thrown out at the plate.

“South Fork has a losing record but they didn't play like it today,” Flores said. “This was a learning experience for everybody.”

Marin Catholic 7, Sonoma Valley 0

The visiting No. 4 Dragons (14-13) came out listless against the powerhouse No. 1 Wildcats (21-5) of Ketnfield and it cost them in a Division 3 semifinal game.

Marin Catholic scored five unearned runs on five Sonoma errors and took advantage of five walks issued by Dragons pitchers.

“We were just flat and didn't show up today. We weren't ready to play,” Sonoma coach Keeley Ray said. “We mentally and physically beat ourselves.”

Normally reliable Dragons starter Kennedy Midgley was chased after 1? innings and took the loss. Marin Catholic was in charge 5-0 after the second inning.

“Kennedy wasn't throwing strikes and couldn't get it done,” Ray said.

Meanwhile, Marin Catholic starter Annabel Teperson went seven innings and struck out 14 (seven looking).

“She (Teperson) threw hard and hit her spots,” Ray said. “We just watched the ball go down the middle. Today was very frustrating.”

Sonoma had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the sixth, but two consecutive strikeouts extinguished the rally.

“Up until this game, we finished the season strong. We made it to the semis of the NCS and I am very proud of the girls,” Ray said. “Overall, I'm pretty content with the season.”

St. Joseph Notre Dame 11, Cardinal Newman 1 (5)

The visiting No. 5 Cardinals (13-13) ended their season with a lopsided loss to the heavy-hitting No. 1 Pilots (21-2) of Alameda in a Division 4 semifinal game.

St. Joseph scored three runs in the first, one in the second and five in the third to take a commanding 9-0 lead en route to a shortened five-inning, 10-run victory.

“We gave up runs early and weren't able to recover,” Cardinal Newman coach Bill Vreeland said. “St. Joseph hit well. It was not our day today. We were hitting balls at people and they were hitting them in the gaps.”

Starter Keegan Smith took the loss for Cardinal Newman and St. Joseph starter Caroline Evans earned the win.

“We had a successful season. It was the first time in six years Cardinal Newman softball has won two NCS games,” Vreeland said. “We are young and there is a lot to look forward to with our program.”

In NCS baseball action:

Athenian 12, St. Vincent 5

In a Division 5 semifinal game, the host No. 1 Mustangs (25-1) consecutively dropped two routine pop-ups and a fly ball with two outs in the top of the fourth inning - leading to five unearned runs for the underdog No. 5 Owls (17-4) of Danville.

St. Vincent went from having a 5-1 lead to trailing 6-5. The Mustangs never recovered from the inning and their three defensive errors. Athenian added six more runs over the next three innings to forge a 12-5 final.

“In the fourth inning we imploded. If we catch one of those pop-ups, the entire game changes. We could have won this game,” St. Vincent coach Stan Switala said. “The players seemed down on themselves after that inning.”

Not only did the loss end the Mustangs' season short of an NCS title, but it spoiled their perfect record by giving them their first loss of the season.

“It hasn't hit me yet that this was our first loss,” Switala said. “We had two runners on in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and we just couldn't get the big hit.”

Ethan Rapoport started and got a no-decision after being lifted in the fourth inning. He gave up one earned run and finished the year with a 13-0 record.

“Ethan threw well,” Switala said. “He was exhausted.”

Bryan Tierney lasted four innings and got the win for Athenian.

Switala said the Athenian fans and team dugout were very loud the entire game, creating an atmosphere in favor of the Owls even though St. Vincent was home.

“Athenian's fans and dugout caused some commotion with what they were doing,” Switala said. “The game was not controlled by the umpires as it should have been.”

Even so, Switala said the reason for the loss was not the noise from the opposing team but three critical moments in the game when St. Vincent failed to catch balls that should have been outs.

“We battled hard all season,” Switala said. “We went undefeated in the regular season and we went to the semis of the NCS. I wish we were playing on Saturday, but we aren't.”