NCS PLAYOFFS: St. Vincent slugs University, 24-5, in softball first round

St. Vincent scored runs in bunches to gallop past over-matched University of San Francisco, 24-5, on Wednesday to advance to the second round of the North Coast Section Division V softball playoffs.|

St. Vincent scored runs in bunches to gallop past over-matched University of San Francisco, 24-5, on Wednesday to advance to the second round of the North Coast Section Division V softball playoffs.

The Lady Mustangs pushed across multiple runs in every at bat, including 11 runs in the bottom of the second inning against the visiting Red Devils. St. Vincent took advantage of multiple walks by two University pitchers, along with ringing RBI hits by Haley Antonini and Katelyn DeLaMontanya to record the playoff win.

Antonini had a perfect day at the plate, reaching base in all of her four appearances, with a double and triple to the base of the left-field fence. The Mustang third baseman finished with four RBIs to run her season total to 34.

St. Vincent catcher DeLaMontanya had a single and double to account for three runs in addition to doing some strong work behind the plate.

Two runners were easily gunned down at second base by rocket-like throws by DeLaMontanya, and it didn’t escape the notice of coach Don Jensen.

“She has improved so much this season,” Jensen said. “Nothing is getting by her, and runners have got to get a good jump to have any chance. They had a runner move into second base without sliding and it was no contest.”

Bella Souza had two hits and five RBIs for the Mustangs.

Left fielder Kelly Stuhdreher also finished with a couple of base hits, in addition to making a fine running catch toward the line in the opening inning.

Jensen called off the aggressiveness of his club on the bases early in the game, and the Mustangs moved ahead only on walks and base hits. Every Mustang player got playing time in the game.

“The score wasn’t really important after the second inning, but the game was good for our two pitchers who got in some work.”

Sully Henry went the first three frames to earn her eighth win for the Lady Mustangs. Henry gave up two hits while striking out seven. Two walks in the first inning were costly, however, as both free boarders scored on an off-field double by Maggie Chau of the Devils. Chau had the only two hits of the afternoon by University. The Devils finished 8-6-2.

Senior lefty Amanda Yarger came in to completely shut the door with two impressive innings of hitless pitching.

The St. Vincent season ended Saturday in Eureka when the Lady Mustangs were beaten by St. Bernard’s, 9-0.

The North Central League II champion Lady Mustangs finished with a 14-9 record after playing all larger schools during their pre-season.

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