CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Despite losing 2-0 at Del Campo on Monday in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs, the Cordova Lady Lancers varsity softball team let it be known that they're capable of playing tough against anyone, and should be considered a threat in the seasons to come.

Whether it was a diving catch in the outfield, the outstanding pitching of freshman Diane Salinas, or simply the camaraderie displayed in the dugout throughout the game, the Lady Lancers played perhaps their best game of the season as a team, even in defeat. Just ask head coach Kim Little.
"I think they played outstanding," she said. "I think that's the best I've seen them play the entire season."

Cordova (12-5 overall) entered the contest as the No. 15 seed in Division III, facing No. 2 seed Del Campo (21-4 overall), in Monday's postseason tilt. But the young Lady Lancers played perhaps their strongest game of the season defensively, not allowing a run until the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI sac-fly from Lady Cougars sophomore Maddie Lazar. Del Campo would add a second run in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI sac-fly by senior Sammie Luckie, and those two runs proved to be the difference. Despite giving up the two runs, Salinas pitched well in her first playoff game at the varsity level as a freshman, giving up seven hits in six innings.

"As a freshman coming into this type of situation, she pitched amazing," Little said of Salinas.

The player with possibly the biggest impact on the game for Cordova was sophomore first baseman Erica Jackson, who recorded a solo double play in the bottom of the third inning as she caught a line drive up the first baseline from Del Campo senior Grace Gallagher, and was able to dive back to the bag at first before Lady Cougars junior Julia Perkins was able to return to base. That defensive gem by Jackson, along with a physical display offensively in the bottom of the fifth inning as she attempted to steal home after an infield error by Del Campo in which she attempted to bowl over the catcher at home plate, seemed to inspire her teammates and drew the praise of her coach.

The Lady Cougars were led by senior pitcher Skylar Mitchell, who surrendered just two hits in seven innings, and tallied an impressive 17 strikeouts.

Even in defeat, however, the team made their mark on their coach, leaving her with no doubts about where her program is headed going forward. "I think it gave the team confidence in their abilities, the abilities that we (the coaches) knew they had, and we can't wait for them to take that over into next season."