CSM (37-0) SWEEPS ARC; HOSTS SUPER REGIONAL NEXT

May 4, 2015

by Fred Baer      baerf@smccd.edu

SAN MATEO -- Following a first round sweep of American River College, 15-6 and 4-1, College of San Mateo undefeated softball team is set to host a second round super regional in the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs Friday through Sunday, May 8-10.

Christy Peterson hit a 2-run single with the bases loaded in the first inning to give the state top-ranked Bulldogs (37-0) a lead they never relinquished in Sunday's finale of the 2-game series. 

Leilani Akai, who scored in the first, capped the day's hitting with a towering home run over the center field fence to leadoff the sixth inning.

Otherwise the bats of four of the state's top hitters were quiet for the Bulldogs.  Kayleen Smith was the only player with a pair of hits. She scored the game's first run after a doubling and later stole second after singling.

Lacie Crawford got her "lucky" 13th win for the 37-0 Bulldogs, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out six over five innings. Lauren Berriatua pitched the final two innings to claim her first save of the year – getting a game-ending strikeout after the Beavers had loaded the bases. She is the state's top pitcher at 24-0 (0.43 E.R.A)

Melina Rodriquez failed to get a hit in a game for the first time since late 2014, ending a 34-game hitting streak. She still has the state's top batting average at .581, although is not the "official" leader due to missing some mid-season games with an injury.

American River finished 20-19. CSM will take its 37-0 record and 37-game winning streak into next week's region finals on Friday afternoon at San Mateo – with a berth in the Final Four at Bakersfield, May 15-17, at stake. 

SUPER REGIONAL PLAYOFF PAIRINGS, MAY 8-10 AT COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO (Double elimination):

Friday, May 8: No. 10 West Valley (30-7) vs. No. 2 College of San Mateo (37-0), 2 p.m.; No. 3 Diablo Valley (31-9) vs. No. 8 San Joaquin Delta (26-17), 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 9, 3 games.

Sunday, May 10, Region finals, 12 noon; extra game to follow, if needed.