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Looks like the top-ranked team in the nation, the Norco (California) Cougars, will remain on top heading into the prestigious Carew Classic next week as the #1 team in the Extra Elite 80 High School Rankings topped #4 ranked Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista, California, 5-0 Saturday afternoon at the Crusaders’ home field.
Extra Inning Softball All-American Sarah Willis, a junior pitcher who has committed to Washington, was on top of her game as she only gave up three hits to Mater Dei Catholic in the complete game victory. She struck out six while giving up only two walks and didn’t allow a hit until the 6th inning.
“Sarah was using her curve and change setting them up with the screw and drop,” said Head Coach Rick Robinson after the victory.
The winning pitcher said she felt in control the entire game.
“Everything was working well,” Willis said Saturday. “I could throw any pitch in any count I had today.”
Leading the offensive attack for Norco was another All-American in senior Kinzie Hansen, the outstanding catcher headed to Oklahoma, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs as the Cougars scored single runs in the first, third, fifth, sixth and seven innings.
Also having a strong game was freshman outfielder Abby Dayton, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Willis helped her cause by going 1-for-3 with a walk, RBI and a run scored.
Taking the loss for Mater Dei Catholic was Lexi Sosa, the UCLA-bound pitcher for Mater Dei Catholic who gave up 10 hits while striking out 10.
Norco ran its record to 18-0 and will be off until next Wednesday when the Cougars will play Rio Mesa (Oxnard, California) and Crescenta Valley (La Crescenta, California) in the Michelle Carew Tournament held in Anaheim and Orange, California.
Mater Dei Catholic will also be in the Carew Classic and will open up against Grand Terrace (California) and Great Oak (Temecula, California).
For the weekend, though, Norco players and coaches can savor a big win over a Top 5-ranked national team.
“We played one of our best games of the year today,” Robinson said. “The defense was really solid too.”