San Marcos won its opening CIF wild-card game on Tuesday, topping Covina 4-2 in an eight-inning contest to start the Division 4 tournament.
Kristen Berlo struck out 11 batters while scattering five hits to Covina. At the plate, the junior’s triple in the top of the eighth inning led to the winning run.
The Royals held a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh but Covina scored two with their backs against the wall and extended the game.
Berlo led off the next inning with a triple off the outfield fence and scored on a single in the next at bat from Emily Dietz. Lynna Gonzalez scored Dietz two batters later on a squeeze bunt.
“Kristen set the tone in that 8th inning,” said Royals coach Jeff Swann. “I could say everybody in the dugout light up (when she hit the triple).”
Berlo finished 3-for-4 at the plate.
Veronica Villarreal was 2-for-3 and scored a run in the fifth inning. With two outs, Jocelyn Flattery singled, followed by a walk from Villarreal. After a double-steal that put both runners in scoring position, Stephanie Swann drove in two with a 2-rbi single.
“This game for us was a complete team effort. Everybody contributed in some way so it was real inspiring,” Swann said.
The victory moves San Marcos into Thursday’s first round. The Royals must travel to Garden Grove, the champions of the Garden Grove League.
SAN MARCOS 4, COVINA 2
SM 000 020 02 – 4 9 2
C 000 000 20 – 2 5 1
Berlo, and Lopez, and Flattery (4). Nava, and Martinez.
2b – Villarreal. 3b – Berlo
