NorCal roundup: Menlo loses heartbreaker to Woodland Christian, Christopher softball falls in D-V final

NorCal roundup: Menlo loses heartbreaker to Woodland Christian, Christopher softball falls in D-V final

Baseball

Division IV

No. 2 Bradshaw Christian 6, No. 1 Piedmont 0

The Highlanders’ usually high-scoring offense struggled to generate runs in Saturday’s Division IV championship game loss to Bradshaw Christian. 

Piedmont totaled eight hits, but Bradshaw Christian’s defense kept the Highlanders in check. Bradshaw Christian pitchers Ethan Rickert and Micah Nicholson combined to strike out nine while allowing no runs. 

The Pride scored two runs in the first inning, two in the second and two in the fourth in a dominant offensive performance that saw the Sacramento school total 12 hits.

Junior catcher Will Parker led Piedmont with two hits.

Piedmont ended its season 19-11. Bradshaw Christian finished its season 33-1.

Division V

No. 2 Woodland Christian 3, No. 1 Menlo 2

The Knights fought until the end, but came up short as Woodland Christian defeated Menlo to capture the Division V championship.

Going into the bottom of the seventh, Menlo trailed 3-1. With two on and one out, sophomore Renner Barnett singled to left field and scored Garrett Tran to cut the deficit to a run.

But in the ensuing at-bat, the Cardinals turned a 6-4-2 double play to end the game and Menlo’s hopes at a NorCal title. 

Menlo pitchers Ryan Schnell and Jake Sonsini combined to strike out five, and allowed seven hits and no earned runs. 

The Knights dropped to 23-10. 

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Softball

Division V

No. 1 Big Valley Christian 10, No. 3 Christopher 0 (five innings)

Big Valley Christian’s offense didn’t let up as the Lions ended the game quickly in a five-run mercy rule win. 

Morgan Merzon had two home runs and five RBIs for the Modesto school. Ava Hernandez struck out 10 and allowed just two hits. 

Jaelynn Corona and Jenessa De La Cruz each had a hit for the Cougars. 

Christopher ended its season 17-11.