18 hours Ago By Lou Ponsi
ANAHEIM — El Modena pitcher Sara Pinedo clung to a one-run lead going into the final inning of the Vanguards’ game against Oaks Christian on Thursday at Peralta Park.The Lions spoiled Pinedo’s brilliant outing, scratching out two runs in the seventh for a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Vanguards in the opening round of the Michelle Carew Classic softball tournament.El Modena pitcher Sara Pinedo (24) against Oaks Christian during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Oaks Christian Gianna Campos (7) gets El Modena’s Halle Calderon (18) out at second base during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)El Modena’s Monica Garcia (23) celebrates scoring against Oaks Christian during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Oaks Christian Reagan Beck (16) beats the throw to El Modena’s Kaitlyn Galasso (56) during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)El Modena pitcher Sara Pinedo (24) laughs with teammates as they take on Oaks Christian during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Oaks Christian pitcher Sophia Debs (25) against El Modena during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Oaks Christian celebrates their win over El Modena after 15 Ava Prinn (15) scored in the bottom of the seventh inning during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Oaks Christian celebrates their win over El Modena after 15 Ava Prinn (15) scored in the bottom of the seventh inning during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Show Caption1 of 8El Modena pitcher Sara Pinedo (24) against Oaks Christian during the first round of the Carew Classic softball tournament at Peralta Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Oaks Christian defeated El Modena, 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)ExpandAfter giving up a hit to the second batter of the game, Pinedo, an LMU commit, struck out seven batters in a row and had allowed only two hits with nine strikeouts heading into the seventh.
Gianna Garcia led off the bottom of the seventh with a hit for the Lions (5-2), who were designated the home team. The next batter, Ava Prinn, laid down a bunt that was meant to be a sacrifice, but the ball rolled passed the charging third baseman and wound up being a hit.Savanna Campos also bunted, but an attempt to force out Garcia at third was unsuccessful and the Lions suddenly had the bases loaded with no outs.
After Pinedo struck out the next hitter for the first out, Chloe Morales hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Garcia from third with the tying run.The Vanguards (11-4), who are ranked No. 4 in Orange County, were one out away from sending the contest to extra innings, but Reagan Beck blooped a single into left-center to drive in the winning run.
El Modena had opportunities to add to their lead early in the game.Monica Garcia singled to lead off the second for the Vanguards and reached third on a two-base error on the play.Kylie Tafua then came up and doubled home Garcia to give the Vanguards a 1-0 lead.
But Tafua wound up stranded on third.El Modena also had a runner thrown out at third for the final out in the sixth.“She gave us every opportunity to put that ballgame away early,” El Modena coach Bobby Calderon said of Pinedo.
“And we just did not capitalize. We did not get the runs that we needed to win the ballgame. We had them on the ropes.
”However, Oaks Christian pitcher Sophia Debs deserves credit for the Vanguards’ inability to add to their lead, Lions coach Cheyenne Coyle said.The Lions executing on offense was also a huge factor, the coach said.“The home run isn’t always going to come through, or the big hit’s not going to come through,” Coyle said.
“We’ve been working on bunts and things like that. So, I’m proud of how they executed.”Related ArticlesDaily News Girls Athlete of the Week: Addison Moorman, Granada Hills CharterOaks Christian softball tops Westlake with clutch hit from Reagen BeckDaily News Girls Athlete of the Week: Erika Laufer, Heritage ChristianThousand Oaks softball shuts out Agoura to keep momentum rollingJennie Finch helps unveil La Mirada softball’s new Jennie Finch Field at dedication ceremony.
