San Clemente takes Sea View title
San Clemente has never been known for its softball program, but the 2012 Tritons are changing that perception.
Kelsey Horton hit a grand slam in the bottom of the first and she added a sacrifice fly in the fourth to help San Clemente hold on for a 9-8 victory over Aliso Niguel on Monday at San Clemente.
The Tritons (14-13, 6-1) clinched their first Sea View League title since 2000. Their only other league championship was in 1975.
"It's been our character," San Clemente coach Paul Hill said. "They just have the heart of a champion. They come out every week and give it their all. I'm so happy for our seniors, Lauren (Delgadillo) and Summer (Secrest) being our captains. I couldn't be more proud of them or happy for them."
The Wolverines (19-8, 4-3) were ranked No. 4 in Division 2, but the loss will probably hurt their chances to claim one of the top four seeds.
"We're a good team playing bad at the wrong time," Aliso Niguel coach Alan Caouette said.
Aliso Niguel center fielder Rachel Hall went through the fence trying to catch Morton's grand slam in the bottom of the first.
Chloe Sharabba hit a three-run homer in the top of the third to cut San Clemente's lead to 4-3.
The Wolverines added four runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-3.
The Tritons had a 9-4 lead heading into the top of the seventh. Aliso Niguel's Tiffany Mikkelson got her second RBI single of the game and Mekenzie Golden hit a three-run homer to make things interesting before San Clemente excaped with the victory.
"You can never count them out," Tritons coach Paul Hill said. "They have the heart of a champion. I expected something like that to happen."
In the Orange League:
Savanna 13, Magnolia 5: Kirstin Gutierrez went 3 for 4 with four RBIs to help the visiting Rebels (11-12, 9-0) clinch their ninth consecutive league championship. Gutierrez also struck out eight and scattered six hits to record the complete-game victory.
