Merced softball team’s season ends with section quarterfinal loss to Rocklin
The Merced High softball team’s stellar season ended Friday in the quarterfinal round of the Sac-Joaquin Division 2 playoffs.
Third-seeded Rocklin defeated sixth-seeded Merced 6-0 to advance to the semifinals.
The Bears’ season ended with a 20-4 overall record. They won the Central California Conference with a 10-0 mark.
On Friday, Merced was unable to get a hit off Rocklin starting pitcher Payton Prior. The junior pitched seven perfect innings, allowing no runs and no walks. She struck out seven.
Merced’s defense again struggled. After committing six errors in Wednesday’s 6-5 win over Lodi, the Bears had four errors against Rocklin.
Rocklin jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings and never looked back.
How other Merced County teams fared
- Division 6: Fifth-seeded Hilmar defeated fourth-seeded Bradshaw Christian 5-2 on Friday and advanced to Tuesday’s semifinal round against top-seeded Amador. The Yellowjackets took a 5-0 lead after the first inning and cruised to the victory.
- Division 7: Top-seeded Le Grand crushed eighth-seeded Rio Vista 14-0 and will host Leroy Greene Academy in Tuesday’s semifinal. Ava Avila, the Bulldogs’ junior pitching ace, threw a one-hitter and struck out 10. Senior Aaliyah Ceja led the Le Grand offense, going 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs.
Jim Silva
The Modesto Bee