Sofia Elliott, Mission Viejo survive Millikan in pitchers' duel to win CIFSS Division 2 championship
IRVINE– Heading into the Division 2 finals on Friday, Mission Viejo sophomore Sofia Elliott had been one of the best pitchers in Southern Section softball this postseason.
In fact, she'd been about as effective as conceivably possible. Elliott and the Diablos made it to the finals without giving up a single run in four playoff games. And through five innings in the title game against Millikan, she hadn't allowed a single hit.
Elliott didn't quite take the scoreless streak all the way through the final game, but one might assume that she was happy to settle for another playoff victory on her record and a CIFSS D2 championship. The Diablos survived a late push from the Rams' offense to defeat them 2-1 in a thriller for the title.
After Elliott opened the game with a three-up, three-down inning, Mission Viejo struck in the bottom of the first. With one out, Ava Tabangcura walked, and Sienna Cline drove her in with a ball that sliced away from a Millikan defender in the wind and turned into a triple. Shayna Glass drove Cline in with a double before Rams pitcher Ava Schaffel struck out the next two Diablos, and MV led 2-0 after an inning.
That proved to be all the offense Mission Viejo would get – and all that it would need.
The next four innings zoomed by as both hurlers were in full control, and Elliott took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Then Robin Garcia opened the top of the sixth with a single to get Millikan its first hit of the day, moved to second on a fielder's choice, and scored on a single by Erica Estrada. Estrada moved up to second on the play due to a fielding error, and Ari Ramirez nearly drove her in with a sharp grounder to the left side. But MV shortstop Sammi Woods got to it and threw a bullet to first to beat her by half a step, preserving the Diablos' 2-1 lead.
The top of the seventh inning, like the top of the sixth, was also tense for Mission Viejo. Still up 2-1 with one out, the Diablos committed their fourth error of the game which allowed Cami Lara to reach base. Elliott walked struck out the next batter and then walked Hailey Ibarra, putting the tying run on second and go-ahead run on first. The next Ram worked a 3-2 count, putting the runners in motion, but Elliott fanned her on a called third strike, perfectly spotted at the low and outside corner to end the drama and cement the Diablos' championship.
It was yet another gem for Elliott, whose Diablos finished the section playoffs with only one run allowed in some 35 innings. It was also a tremendous performance from Schaffel, who impressed despite picking up the loss. Both aces are sophomores on teams loaded with young talent, so look out for a potential playoff rematch in the seasons to come.
