The Millikan softball team knew they had a tough task ahead of them as they hit the road to take on Ganesha in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs on Saturday.
The Rams battled, but a couple crooked innings and some untimely hitting slumps were too much to overcome for Millikan as they lost to the Giants, 4-0.
“We knew this was going to be a tough one,” Millikan coach Michelle Lehr said. “I had some information on the team. Two of their players played for me in travel ball, but their pitcher is a very respected travel ball pitcher.”
Cal State Fullerton commit Isabella Lopez fit the bill on Saturday as she pitched a complete game shutout allowing four hits, two walks and struck out nine and got out of any trouble when the Rams got runners on base.
After two quick outs, the Rams showed some life with back-to-back singles from Ella Burleson and Lauryn Kim but Lopez pitched out of the jam striking out the next batter in the second inning.
Millikan’s Lauren Cantwell went back-and-forth with three scoreless innings, but a pair of 2-run innings in the fourth and fifth innings was all Ganesha needed to hold off the Rams.
The Rams continued to battle to their last out in the seventh as they got two on base with two outs, but as she did most of the game – Lopez pitched out of the jam to finish the game.
“It’s just the way it goes,” Lehr said. “Who on defense is going to make an error first, what pitcher’s going to make a mistake first. Overall, I think our team just didn’t hit like I know they can. We lacked some discipline today.”
