STOCKTON — Sierra High suffered a tough loss to Casa Roble in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinal game at the Arnaiz Softball Stadium on Friday.
The 3-2 loss to the Rams of Orangevale essentially marked the beginning of the end for the Timberwolves (14-6).
“We weren’t going to have Lindsey (Walljasper). She was tired after battling a fever on the previous day and pitching three straight games,” said Sierra coach Vic DeAnda.
He was proud of his team in the following game — a 17-2 blowout loss to Bear River in the elimination game.
“Our kids were great,” DeAnda said. “They left everything they had on the field.”
Casa Roble 3, Sierra 2
Jody Cova ripped a two-run double and Haley Sutter’s bloop RBI single in the fifth was enough offense for the Rams against Timberwolves.
Sierra held a 1-0 lead prior to that on Walljasper’s one-out triple. She scored on a passed ball.
Walljasper, for the exception of the fifth inning, was in control on the mound.
Behind 3-1, the Timberwolves got one of those runs back on Kendelle Messersmith’s home run over the left field fence from 209 feet away.
Walljasper, in her last at bat, hit a single to left and was replaced by courtesy runner.
But the runner was doubled off following a line drive to first base.
Bear River 17, Sierra 2
The Bruins avenged their earlier loss, pounding the Timberwolves with six runs in the first, five more in the second, four in the third and two in the fourth.
The game ended in the fifth inning due to the 10-run mercy rule.
Messersmith continued her hot hitting by delivering on a lead-off double. She eventually scored.
To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com