Rooney Rolls to 300 on Card

CHATSWORTH —  Alemany High softball Coach Dudley Rooney got the 300th victory of his career, and the Indians gave him plenty of time to savor it.

Alemany took 18 innings to beat Chaminade, 3-0, in a key Mission League game Wednesday at Chaminade Middle School.

“We bought a big card and some balloons to give to him,” Alemany’s Anna Allen said. “It took us 18 innings to give him that card, and I feel kind of honored to do it.”

Allen drove in Annette Ramirez from third base with one out in the top of the 18th to break the scoreless tie. Allen hit a bases-loaded ground ball that second baseman Meghan Holbrook fielded and threw late in an attempt to force Ramirez at the plate.

The Indians scored two more runs--on a ground ball by Reina Sarabia and a wild pitch by Maureen LeCocq.

“We had trouble hitting the ball early on, but we came around and played Alemany softball,” Ramirez said.

Rooney was glad to see it, and not only for himself.

“I’ve been telling people that getting this win just means you’re getting old,” he said. “But it is special, because, to me, it’s a reflection of the whole program and of the kids.”

In his 14th season with the Indians, Rooney has a 300-85 record.

Alemany (18-3, 7-0 in league play) opened a two-game lead over second-place Chaminade (14-7, 5-2), which suffered its second loss of the season to Alemany.

Alemany junior right-hander Kim Diener (18-3) and LeCocq (14-6), a sophomore right-hander, battled on nearly even terms. LeCocq was more impressive through 10 innings, Diener stronger over the last eight.

LeCocq had a no-hitter and 11 strikeouts through 10, but allowed seven hits in the last 7 2/3 innings before leaving with an injured left thumb. LeCocq was hurt when she tagged Allen at third base for the second out of the 18th.

LeCocq allowed seven hits, struck out 12 and walked three. Karen Knokey, who made several sparkling plays at shortstop for the Eagles, replaced LeCocq and recorded the final out on a force play at the plate.

Diener--who gave up four hits, struck out three and frequently pitched from behind in the count through the first 10 innings--limited Chaminade to one hit over the final eight innings. She finished with four strikeouts and no walks.