Girls Softball: Murrieta Valley Flies Past Upland in CIF Playoff Opener

This post was written by Patch Contributor Charles McKee.

Murrieta Valley's Olivia Sanchez allowed five hits and two runs Thursday as she shut down the visiting Highlanders in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division One Playoffs.

She crowned the day with a towering, two-run home run in the sixth inning to shatter Upland hopes for any kind of comeback, putting the Nighthawks ahead for good 8-2. 

The Nighthawks trailed 1-0 when they tied the score in the bottom of the second.

“We started out slow, the girls were a little nervous at the beginning of the game. They adjusted as the game progressed and really started hitting the ball,” said Coach Sean Parks. “Olivia found her rhyme and really got stronger with every inning she pitched." 

The Nighthawks broke the tie in the fifth inning with a four-run scoring barrage that featured a home run by Nicole Sims, who went 3-3 with 4 RBIs against the Highlanders.

Still clinging to hope, Sanchez’s blast in the next inning took the fight out of Upland as Murrieta Valley advanced to round two of the CIF Division One playoffs. 

Stephanie Moreno went 2-4, with one run scored, and a double for the Nighthawks.

Amber Bishop went 3-4, scored twice and stole a base. Her sister, Autumn Bishop batted 2-3 and scored.

Amber Nelson and Chelsey Preciado each scored a run for MVHS.

The Nighthawks will now face Pacifica on Tuesday. The Mariners are ranked second in the state and are coming off an 18-game winning streak. The Nighthawks lost a heartbreaker to Pacifica 2-1 on April 5.  

“It’s like David and Golliath” Parks said. “Can we beat them? Absolutely! The girls know that every time they step on to the field they can win. No guarantees, but I know we can win.”

Vista Murrieta Advances to Round Two of the CIF Playoffs  

The Broncos also move on to round two of the CIF Playoffs after holding off a seventh inning rally and scare by Riverside Poly.  

Murrieta’s four-run lead in the seventh started to evaporate as the Bears came on strong in the last inning. With the tying run perched at third base, Bronco pitcher Sellina Ta’amillo buckled down and picked up her first playoff win.

Kylie Datil went 2-3 for the Broncos.

Natalie Baltas was 1 for3 with a home run and 2 RBIs.

Baltas thrives on CIF openers. She hit a home run last year in round one against Corona.  

Tristen Edwards and Sydney Romero had a hit and RBI each against the Bears.

Yvonne Siordia and Kylee Keller both had a hit apiece.

Phalen Cochran also scored for the Broncos.

The Broncos will host Corona Santiago on Tuesday.