Kristen Berlo struck out 11 batters and hit two home runs in Wednesday’s 4-2 Channel League victory over Ventura that clinched a playoff spot for the Royals.
Berlo pitched a complete-game and benefited from two nice defensive plays in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory.
San Marcos took a 2-0 lead with a single run in the fourth inning. In the sixth, after Ventura had cut the lead in half, the Royals added two more when Berlo connected on her second homer to score Stephanie Swann.
Berlo knocked in three of the Royals’ four runs. Veronica Villareal had the other RBI, scoring Jocelyn Flattery with a triple in the third inning.
The Cougars scored again in the bottom of the sixth and put the leadoff batter on base in the seventh but could not break through on Berlo.
San Marcos (10-14, 5-7) had seven players record a hit in the game that secured third place for the Royals.
SAN MARCOS 4, VENTURA 2
San Marcos 001 102 0 – 4 8 2
Ventura 000 011 0 – 2 4 0
SM: Berlo, and Flattery V: Esakoff, and Lopez
2B – V: Esakoff 3B – SM: Villarreal
HR – SM: Berlo (2)
