Santa Rosa, CA – In a commanding performance during the North Coast Section (NCS) Division 2 semifinals, Callie Howard led Cardinal Newman Softball to a decisive 7-0 victory over the Benicia Varsity Panthers. The win propels the Cardinals to the championship game, where they will face Carondelet for the Division 2 title.
In a re-match of a game won earlier in the season by Benicia, Howard was the story of the game, striking out 13 while allowing just three hits and no runs over seven innings. With a mix of pinpoint accuracy and velocity, she neutralized Benicia's offense and set the stage for a Cardinal Newman victory.
"Callie's performance was phenomenal," said Cardinal Newman head coach Bill Vreeland. "She's been our leader all year, and tonight she showed why. This team has worked hard to get to this point, and I'm proud of every one of them."
Offensively, the Cardinals were led by Andrea Mansbery, who went 3-for-4 and delivered a clutch solo home run in the third inning to break a scoreless tie. Mansbery added two singles and showcased her ability to come through in big moments.
Cardinal Newman's lineup proved relentless, tallying 14 hits. Jordyn Johnsen and Cienna Alvarez contributed multiple hits, with Johnsen driving in two runs and swiping two bases. The team's aggressive base running kept Benicia on its heels, while the defense played error-free ball.
Benicia's Alana Robinson pitched five and two-thirds innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on 14 hits while striking out six. Despite her best efforts, Robinson was unable to contain Cardinal Newman's potent offense.
Next, the Cardinals will face Carondelet in the NCS Division 2 championship. The two teams have yet to meet this season, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup with everything on the line.
Next Game:
NCS Division 2 Championship
Cardinal Newman vs. Carondelet
Date: TBD | Location: TBD
With their sights firmly set on the title, the Cardinals will look to carry the momentum of this dominant semifinal performance into the biggest game of their season.
