The perennially strong Santa Monica High softball team again won the Ocean League and two CIF Division 4 playoff games but was eliminated in the second round on Thursday, May 28 at Paloma Valley, 5-0.
Earlier in the week Samohi won its second round game at Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance, 4-3. The Vikings had the misfortune of being scheduled for two straight away games despite being a league champion.
Coach Debbie Skaggs’ program is in such good shape that most players were juniors who’ll be expected to do well again next season.
Junior Celisha Walker pitched most games, including the last two. At Bishop Montgomery Samohi scored all four runs in the first inning, and then held on. On the game’s final play Samohi outfielder Haley Condon threw out a runner at the plate.
At Paloma Valley, which is in Menife near Mt. San Antonio College, Samohi fell behind 2-0 in the first inning and was unable to score.
Although playing in only 14 games, Andrea Linares led the Vikings in batting with a .474 average. Natalie Abel, who also played in 14 games, batted .412 and did some pitching.
Emma Woo hit .403, Meghan Bradley 369, Walker .361 and Hailey Sheridan .302.
