Softball: Spartans Headed to CIF-SS Division 5 Finals

It could have been 2010 all over again when the Spartans gave up the second run of the game against South El Monte. But Lauren O’Leary kept her cool. She knew she still had the lead on her hands and her offense would come in at the right moment.

The Spartans played small ball all game, as five of six players knocked in at least a run, and La Canada beat South El Monte Eagles 6-2 to head to the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 championship game for the first time since 1995. The game will be held in Irvine against Beaumont, who advanced with a 4-0 win over Arroyo, on either Friday or Saturday.

“These girls have done a tremendous job all year long,” Spartans coach KC Mathews said. “South El Monte is a very tough team, and they did a solid job trying to stay in it. From the preseason these girls have been working hard getting to this point, and it feels outstanding to get to where we are now.”

In KC Mathews’ fourth year as head coach, he has seen his team improve year after year. Last year they were just a win away from reaching the divisional finals before a sluggish sixth inning cost the Spartans the win.

This year, with nearly an identical roster, the Spartans have shown that they have been the team to beat all playoffs, earning a number one seed and letting their offense come to life.  

O’Leary finished with five strikeouts and only allowed four hits. The Spartans had seven hits as a team, but Shirley Drange was the only player with an extra base hit.

“South El Monte was positioned very well playing near the back of the fence,” Mathews said. “It kept a lot of balls in front of them and made sure doubles long singles. On the other side, our girls up and down the lineup played very well just getting on base and playing fundamental softball.”

“When we step up, we come up on the mindset on waiting on the ball and planning ahead,” Drange said. “It’s been incredible to see that our team effort at the plate has really carried us through the playoffs. And it hasn’t been just the seniors. A number of our younger players have really come through for us when we need them.”

The road to Irvine wasn’t easy, and it showed against the Eagles for most of the game. La Canada took the early lead on a single by Megan Siepler, then added two runs more in the second inning with a double by Shirley Drange and a groundout by Jessica Ogden.

The real test came in the top of the third, when O’Leary and the Spartans had to play a bit on their toes to hold on to the lead. O’Leary put two runners on to start the frame. A groundout by Gena Meza advanced the runners into scoring position. Valerie Velazquez then hit a single up the middle to drive in Julissa Castellanos from third, and Angie Aguinaga doubled to right-center to send Andrea Barcenas home.

An illegal pitch by O’Leary advanced Aguinaga to third base, and O’Leary later walked the next batter Jasmine Vargas. But with runners at the corners, Demi Ngyuen struck out looking and the Spartans escaped further damage.

“I couldn’t let that third inning get to me,” O’Leary said. “I knew that our defense was doing their job, and the runs would come in for us. It has been our goal for so long to get here, and nothing would stand in our way.”

The Spartans made sure it wouldn’t be solely pitching that would win the game, as they added the two runs they gave up in the bottom half, one of them on a play you hardly ever see in a softball game. After the single by Aubri Thompson that brought in a run and moved Siepler to third, Annie Monroe laid down a suicide squeeze right to first base as Siepler took off for home.

“I think last year we had a big problem with nerves, and it got to us hard,” Drange said. “This year we are a lot more confident. We have been worrying less about getting nervous and breaking down. Every one of our teammates have been there for us, and we have been enjoying the ride since day one.”