Whittier Christian softball rallies to win Division 2 title against Mater Dei

IRVINE — The Whittier Christian softball team seemed to make a habit of late-game heroics in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

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But nothing in the program’s history can compare to the Heralds’ come-from-behind victory in extra innings Friday, as they defeated Mater Dei 5-3 in eight innings to win the CIF-SS Division 2 championship at Deanna Manning Stadium.

The Heralds, the designated road team, trailed by two runs and were down to their final two outs in the seventh inning when Mia Camacho crushed a two-run home run to tie the score and ultimately send the game to extra innings after the Monarchs failed to score in the bottom of the seventh.

In the eighth inning, Bella Perez belted a two-run home run for the Heralds that wound up being the game winner.

The Heralds trailed by three runs heading into the final inning in their semifinal game against St. Paul on Saturday, May 23, and they went on to score seven runs in their final at-bat to defeat the Swordsmen, 11-8.

“I have special kids on this team,” Heralds coach Dale VanDuyn said. “It’s been an amazing run.”

The score was 1-1 when the Monarchs scored twice in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead.

Mater Dei’s Danica Lancelloti, who went 3 for 4 with two triples, led off the inning with a triple but came in to score on the play when interference was called on the Heralds third baseman.

Rose Brown then singled home Audrey Eyler to give the Monarchs a two-run cushion.

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Camacho, a right-handed hitter, displayed her power by hitting her home run over the fence in right field to tie the score.

“I was just hoping it would be a gapper,” Camacho said. “My last at-bat, I had gotten under the ball, so I just wanted to make sure I punched through and was able to go through the ball and not underneath it.”

Perez said she wasn’t thinking about a home run going into her at-bat in the eighth. She wound up hitting the ball far over the fence in right center.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to help my team get this win,” Perez said. “Usually, I can feel my home runs off the bat. That one felt amazing.”

Mater Dei pitcher Citlaly Valencia and Heralds pitcher Sofia Gonalez both gave up their share of hits – the Monarchs had nine hits and the Heralds had 14 hits – but both consistently pitched out of trouble.

The Monarchs and Heralds stranded eight and seven runners, respectively.

“They worked very hard from day one and deserve to be here,” Mater Dei coach Nicole Wise said of her team. “There is nothing to be disappointed with at the end of the day. I’m very proud of them.”

Both teams automatically qualify for the CIF Southern California Regional Championships.

Mater Dei is opting out of the regionals, Wise said, and the Heralds will continue playing.

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The regional brackets will be released Sunday.