In a classic pitchers’ duel between two of the best softball pitchers in the San Diego Section, Poway High prevailed with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 3-2 victory over Rancho Bernardo in the Open Division championship game Saturday at UC San Diego.
“I told the girls we had to get one run to keep the game going,” Poway coach Jim Bennet said. “This feels awesome considering two years ago we were 5-24 and last year we lost the Division 2 finals to Granite Hills.”
But the game did not come down to Poway sophomore Mya McGowan and Rancho Bernardo senior Maddie Hulse.
It came down to two singles, a walk and two errors as top-seeded Poway (27-3) outlasted its rival, No. 2 Rancho Bernardo.
Hailey Burns opened the eighth with a single back to the mound.
“Once I got the hit, now we can win it,” Burns said. “We could beat RB now.”
Miah Garcia’s bunt was misplayed and then McGowan singled to left to score Burns with the tying run.
After an intentional unintentional walk to Sophia Burmeister, Alexis Huey’s ground ball was mishandled and Garcia scored the winning run.
“I love pitchers’ duels,” said McGowan, who allowed five hits and walked one while striking out six to improve to 17-1. “They’re only good if you win, though.
“It felt great to be back in the Open again because we lost on this same field.
“So now no one in Poway has to think about 5-24 or Granite Hills ever again.”
Hulse pitched seven innings and exited before the final run scored.
She allowed five hits, walked one and struck out six.
Poway’s first run came as the result of two Broncos errors in the fifth inning.
Rancho Bernardo (25-5) scored a run in the fourth inning on an error before scoring in the top of the eighth on Audree Mendoza’s single to left for the short-lived 2-1 lead.
“This is the game everyone in the county wanted to see,” Bennet said. “Best two teams who are rivals.”
Poway also beat the Broncos 3-2 during the regular season.
Both teams will advance to the Southern California Regionals next week.
