Roundup: Spartans march into title game

Appeal-Democrat

Alex Ortiz went 2-for-2 and drove in two runs and Brittany Lehman's defensive play in the seventh preserved the win as the East Nicolaus High softball team advanced to the Northern Section Div. V championship game with a 4-3 win over visiting Etna on Thursday.

Holli Bingaman allowed five hits and struck out nine to earn the win for the Spartans (26-3), who advance to Saturday's championship game against either Esparto or Durham.

"She was solid," East Nicolaus coach Richard Quick said of Bingaman. "But we played some solid defense behind her and got some timely hitting."

Trailing 2-0, Etna had a runner on third with two outs in the seventh. The next batter lashed the ball into right field, where Lehman turned in the defensive play of the day by throwing out the batter at first to end the game.

"She played a great game," Quick said of Lehman, who also went 1-for-3 with an RBI and scored the game-winning run in the fifth inning.

Wheatland 4, Yreka 3

The Pirates scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to advance to Saturday's Northern Section Div. IV championship game at Sutter.

"This is the third straight year we're in the finals," Wheatland coach Jim Vossler said of the Pirates, who are the defending champions.

Wheatland (15-13) needed some last-inning heroics to reach the title game. With one out, Rachel Keller singled and Jennifer Siegele was sent into to pinch-run for her. Siegele was sacrificed to second and scored on an error.

"Ashlie (Snider) hit it hard into the hole," Vossler said, "and their shortstop threw the ball over the first baseman's head." Rachel Silva went the distance, scattering seven hits. Courtney White and Keller each was 2-for-4 and Snider was 3-for-4.

Lindhurst 2, Woodland Chr. 1

Jordan Stanaland tossed a six-hitter and delivered three hits, including a double, to lead the Blazers (15-8-1) to a Sac-Joaquin Section Div. VI playoff win in Lodi.

Alisha Benge doubled home both runs for Lindhurst in the top of the first. Jennifer Rodriguez was 2-for-3. The Cardinals answered with a run in the home half.

The rest of the game belonged to Stanaland and Woodland Christian's Mica Romero, who allowed only eight hits. Stanaland finished with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Lindhurst plays Le Grand Saturday at 10 a.m. A win puts the Blazers into the title game that afternoon.

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Everest qualifies for Section finals

Yuba City's Amarpreet Everest qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II finals after finishing fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (16.74 seconds) and the 300 hurdles (49.44) in the trials at Bella Vista.

Her 100 hurdles time is a personal best. The finals will be held tonight, with a berth at the Masters Meet next week on the line.

Marysville High's Alana Grove leaped a personal best of 15-4 in the to finish 11th in the Division III long jump.

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Ithurburn third in shot put

Yuba City's Bob Ithurburn placed third in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II shot put with a throw of 50 feet, 7.5 inches. That qualifies him for the Section Masters next week.

Yuba City's Sandeep Bajwa finished 10th in the 400 trials (6.48), missing today's division finals by one spot.

Villasenor, Paul qualify

Lindhurst's Joey Villasenor placed third in the 800 and 1,600, and Marysville's A.J. Paul qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Div. III meet in the shot put.

Paul threw a personal best of 46-10 to finish fifth.

Villasenor's times were not available.