PHOTOS: Whittier Christian powers way to extra inning win over Mater Dei in CIF final

Whittier Christian celebrates after winning the CIF title Friday in Irvine. (Photos courtesy John Luciano, For OC Sports Zone).

Whittier Christian’s softball team used the long ball late and went on to capture a 5-3 victory over Mater Dei in eight innings in the CIF Division 2 final Friday evening in front of a big crowd at Deanna Manning Stadium.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Whittier Christian from La Habra celebrated the third CIF title for the program. Whittier Christian also captured CIF Division 5 titles in 2009 and 2010.

The Heralds trailed 3-1 going into the top of the seventh inning, but Mia Camacho belted a two-run home run in to tie the game 3-3. Mater Dei had one runner on in the bottom of the inning, but Whittier Christian turned a double play to get out of the inning to send the game into extra innings.

Then in the top of the eighth inning, Jaelyn Ugalde doubled to lead off and Bella Perez, who was 3 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored, belted a two-run home run to put the Heralds up 5-3.

Whittier Christian pitcher Sofia Gonzalez then shut out Mater Dei in the boffom of the seventh inning. Gonzalez scattered nine hits and allowed three runs to earn the victory, the second straight comeback win for the Heralds who battled back from a three-run deficit to defeat St. Paul 11-8 in the semifinals.

“I wasn’t really thinking to hit a home run, we’ve been talking about all season, especially in our St. Paul game coming back from those runs,” Perez said. “Just do whatever you can to get on base and let the next girl do their job. I’ve had two other ones {home runs} but nothing felt like this one.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that we’ve set a legacy at our school now, getting the highest division {title} that our school has had in the softball program, the championship is a great feeling knowing we’re going to have a legacy on campus throughout our whole entire lives. We’ve seen the media calling us underdogs, but just never count us out of a game.

“We may be the underdogs, but we know how to fight and we will always, always, always comeback.”

Whittier Christian Coach Dale VanDuyn kept the faith in his team, which out-hit Mater Dei 13-9.

“This is a group of kids that never gives up,” he said. “They believe in each other, we work hard in practice and they treat each other more like family. It started about two months ago, they started blending and they haven’t lost since.

“Sofia Gonzalez, our pitcher, has gotten the confidence and it hasn’t stopped. And Danni {Lopez} behind the plate gives her confidence. The defense is solid and they have fun. Mia’s hit {homer} put us back in the game with an outside pitch, that was incredible and Bella has a great stick, she’s been popping up a bit and she’s been working hard on it.”

Whittier Christian (23-8-1) moved out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the third inning. Sofia Hernandez doubled and scored on an RBI single by Camacho, who was 3 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored.

Mater Dei (19-12) tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Danica Lancelotti, who was 3 for 4 with two triples and two runs scored, tripled with two outs and scored on an RBI single by Savanah Duncan.

The Monarchs then scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lancelotti tripled to right center. She had a sure double and took an extra base when the center fielder bobbled the ball and scored when the third baseman was called for interference.

Audrey Eyler then doubled and scored on an RBI single by Savanah Brown to tie the game 3-3.

Citlaly Valencia pitched the first seven innings for Mater Dei, allowing five runs and 12 hits and striking out five. Audrey Penera came on in relief in the eight inning to end the inning, giving Mater Dei a chance.

With one out, Duncan singled but was thrown out when Eyler reached on a fielder’s choice. Whittier Christian got the final out on a groundout.

“This game was just really competitive,” said Mater Dei’s first year coach Nicole Wise. “Both teams really wanted it and good teams always find a way to win at the end of the day. Our girls didn’t give up the whole way and that’s all you can really ask for, they fought, they played hard and I’m really proud of them, they worked really hard to be here and you couldn’t ask for anything more.”

While Whittier Christian is moving on the CIF So Cal regionals next week, Wise said Mater Dei has opted out.

“We will not be in the regional, mainly because we have a lot of girls playing travel ball,” Wise said.

“It was a great season, the girls worked hard. This is my first year, the moment I walked into the weight room in September, that first day I knew we had something special and they proved it all year round and they dealt with a lot of adversity and overcame a lot of challenges and pushed through every single time and that’s what got them here today,” Wise said.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com