Prep Softball: La Quinta Advances To CIF Semifinals in Dramatic Fashion
The La Quinta Blackhawks faced their toughest opponent yet in their road to a CIF championship. The Blackhawks welcomed the number three seed La Habra Highlanders to town in a CIFSS Division 4 quarterfinal battle.
The Blackhawks entered the Desert Valley League champion and a record of 20-7. They also rode the momentum of two playoff victories into Thursday’s game.
The Highlanders boasted a record of 23-6 and a Freeway league title.
The game was a lesson in defense early as both teams made great play after great play.
La Habra struck first in the fourth inning when Sammie Klein dropped an RBI single into center field that scored a run.
The Blackhawks answered the next inning when Thalia Ortiz stepped up and slapped one to the right field corner. Sidney Halbeisen scored on the triple from Ortiz to tie things up.
The game remained at 1-1 through the end of the regulation seven innings. The Blackhawks shutout La Habra in the top of the eighth.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Highlanders misplayed a bunt, leading to an errant throw to first. Ortiz scored from second base to give the Blackhawks the victory.
La Quinta advances to the semifinals and will face Garden Grove or Kaiser.
