Santa Rosa Academy's softball season ends in 9-6 loss

Faith Krueger hits the first of her two home runs for Santa Rosa Academy. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Santa Rosa Academy softball team finished its season with a 9-6 loss to Linfield Christian in the first round of the CIF Division 5 playoffs Friday afternoon.

The visiting Lions scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to tie the score at 6-6, then scored three more in the seventh and held the Rangers scoreless, taking the victory.

The Rangers were first on the board with a solo home run hit by Faith Krueger in the bottom of the first. The Lions loaded the bases in their next at-bat, then scored an answering run with a sacrifice fly. But SRA pitcher Jordan Krueger retired the final batter with the bases loaded and the game remained tied.

A single from Madeleine Hillyer started Santa Rosa off in the bottom of the second, followed by a double to left field from Lisa Cante. Aggressive baserunning from the Rangers had Hillyer scoring on a wild pitch two batters later. Cante scored after Audrey Pulver got to first on an error.

The bottom of the third inning started off with a single from Ari Castle, followed by another homer from Faith Krueger to put her team up 5-1.

“I was just having fun, playing the game I love,” said Faith Krueger, of her two home runs—and 4 for 4 game—that brought in five of her team’s six runs. “I went up to bat with a game plan and it worked out in my favor.”

Jordan Krueger walked in a run for the Lions in the fourth before being subbed out by Kadence Bernard. She took over and let one more run score in that inning on a groundout fielder’s choice play, but got out of the inning still up 5-3.

Bernard then started off the bottom of the inning with a double to left field, which put her in position to score on a passed ball in the next at-bat. But Linfield started a rally with two outs in the top of the fifth and tied the game with three doubles in a row, followed by a single and an intentional walk.

The Lions hit two doubles in the seventh that put them up 9-6. Although Faith Krueger and Castle both had singles in the bottom of the seventh, the Rangers weren’t able to convert either to any runs and the game ended on a double play.

This is head coach Dan Torres’ last season with the softball team and athletics department. His team this season has given him what he says is a good year to leave on.

“I’m just sitting on the bench thinking this is awesome. The Lord couldn’t have blessed me any more than he has right now with these girls,” Torres said. “They’re so supportive and doing their job and making my job easy. It’s awesome to have a lineup like this. I’ve had some great teams, but this one right now is really special to me.”

Jordan Krueger said that even before the game started, she and her team were sure of one thing.

“We knew regardless of what happened in the playoffs that we were going to be in the game together,” Krueger said. “At the end of the game, we lost with character. We played our hearts out and almost upset a very good Linfield team.”

Linfield, which is now 14-4 on the season, will continue into the playoffs while Santa Rosa finishes with a 14-3-1 overall record and an undefeated league record. 

A joyous Faith Krueger is greeted at home by teammates after her second home run. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Emily Heraz makes the final catch of the inning for the Rangers. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Audrey Pulver backs up to the fence to take a home run away from Linfield. (Photo by Rick Rowell)