Santa Rosa, CA- In a game defined by pitching excellence and timely hitting, Cardinal Newman Softball secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Pleasant Valley Varsity Vikings on Thursday. The win propels the Cardinals into the NorCal Division 3 Championship, where they will face #1 Hillsdale in San Mateo on Saturday.
Kunimune's Clutch Hit Decides the Game
izzie Kuniimune drove the winning run in the bottom of the 6th.
The game remained scoreless through five-and-a-half tense innings before Cardinal Newman finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Andrea Mansbery reached base with two outs to start the rally and later scored when Izzie Kunimune delivered the game-winning RBI with a single to left field. Kunimune finished 1-for-3 at the plate, cementing her place as the game's offensive hero.
Other contributors for the Cardinals included Jordyn Johnsen, Mansbery, and Cienna Alvarez, each collecting one of the team's four hits. While Cardinal Newman was held in check offensively, their ability to capitalize on a key opportunity proved decisive.
Howard's Dominance on the Mound
Pitcher Callie Howard turned in a brilliant performance to earn the win. The senior hurled a complete-game shutout, striking out eight and scattering five hits while not issuing a single walk. Howard's composure in high-pressure situations was pivotal in stifling Pleasant Valley's scoring chances.
Howard outdueled Pleasant Valley's Alissa Snipes, who was also outstanding in the circle. Snipes pitched six innings, striking out six while allowing just four hits and one run. However, that lone run proved to be the difference.
After Newman scored in the 6th, Howard struck out 2 of the last 3 hitters to close out the victory.
Defensive Battle
Both teams showcased strong defensive efforts, with Pleasant Valley playing error-free and turning a double play to keep the game close. Cardinal Newman, while not flawless defensively, overcame two errors with Howard's steady pitching and strong situational awareness in the field.
Kodi Aisthorpe led Pleasant Valley's offense with two hits in three at-bats, but the Vikings were unable to string together a rally against Howard.
Eyes on the NorCal Title
With the win, Cardinal Newman advances to the NorCal Division 3 Championship game against Hillsdale High School on Saturday in San Mateo. The Cardinals, led by head coach Bill Vreeland, have shown remarkable resilience throughout the season and will look to build on their late-game heroics as they chase the regional title.
As of now the game is scheduled for 4pm and may be played at a neutral site pending CIF scheduling. Fans can expect another nail-biter as Newman aims to bring home their first ever NorCal championship.
