SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS : 3-A : Granger, Valencia Lose in 15th to Diamond Bar, 1-0

Michele Granger of Valencia High School pitched 15 innings against Diamond Bar Tuesday afternoon, struck out 27 and allowed only six hits. She lost, 1-0.

Such was the luck of Valencia (22-8), as an unearned run in the 15th gave Diamond Bar the victory in the Southern Section 3-A semifinal softball game at Walnut High School. The Tigers lost for the second straight year in the semifinals. Last year they fell to Woodbridge, 3-1.

Valencia’s undoing was its defense. With two outs in the 15th and Diamond Bar sophomore Bonnie Ebenkamp on first, Elizabeth Sirchia lofted a lazy fly ball to left. Valencia left fielder Christi Valdez got under the ball, but it glanced off her glove.

By the time the ball was picked up, Ebenkamp had easily scored to end the game.

“In a game like that, it was going to come down to a mistake,” said Debbie Fassel, Valencia coach. “Christi hasn’t made an error like that in three years.”

Granger’s performance was matched by Diamond Bar pitcher Pam Barr. Barr also pitched all 15 innings and though she didn’t overpower hitters like Granger, she managed to strike out 14 and allowed only five hits.

Valencia’s best scoring opportunity came in the fourth. Valdez singled with one out and went to second base on a wild pitch. She advanced to third on a fielder’s choice by Valerie Finley, but stayed there when Granger ended the inning by grounding out.

Diamond Bar (18-5) never had a runner advance past second before Ebenkamp scored the winning run.

Granger (22-7) finished the season with 509 strikeouts.