Petaluma knocks off top seed to advance

PREP SOFTBALL

Analy, Healdsburg, Justin-Siena also moving on in playoffs

Petaluma’s Brylee Ronsheimer, No. 5, is congratulated by teammates after clubbing a home run May 8 against Casa Grande. The Trojans are in the semifinals of the North Coast Section playoffs. Kent Porter — The Press Democrat

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By Christian Vieyra

For The Press Democrat

Petaluma High School’s softball team upset top-seeded McKinleyville 7-1 in Friday’s second round of the North Coast Section playoffs behind a complete game from starting pitcher Taylor Cook, advancing to the Trojans’ first section semifinal game since 2013.

Cook allowed six hits and one run over seven innings in the Division 3 contest on the road in Humboldt County. She struck out five and walked none.

On offense, the ninth-seeded Trojans had 12 hits and seven runs. Harper Miles went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to lead Petaluma, with a single in the second inning, a two-run triple in the third and another single in the fifth.

Bella Hudson, Scarlett Fannin, Brylee Ronsheimer and Taylor Pellonari each had two hits for the Trojans. Hudson, Fannin and Ronsheimer also knocked in RBIs.

McKinleyville’s sole run came in the final inning. As the division’s top seed, the Panthers had earned a first-round bye before Friday’s contest with Petaluma.

The Trojans (15-11-1) will now move on to play Wednesday at No. 4 Arroyo, which defeated fifth-seeded Maria Carrillo 2-0 on Saturday.

Division 1

No. 2 San Ramon Valley 6, No. 7 American Canyon 3: The Wolves fell on the road Friday after clawing back to making it a one-run game in the fifth inning.

San Ramon led 4-0 heading into the fifth before American Canyon scored three times in the frame to put pressure on the hosts.

But the visitors gave up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth as San Ramon’s lead grew to 6-3.

Lila McLeod earned the win for San Ramon with a complete game and 12 strikeouts.

Ianna Lobao and Kate Sosa had two hits for American Canyon (20-4). Raquel Winterburn, Sosa and Madison Del Castillo each drove in one run for AC, which ends the season as the Vine Valley Athletic League regular season and tournament champions.

Division 2

No. 3 Northgate 4, No. 6 Vintage 2: The Crushers dropped a close game on the road Friday in Walnut Creek to end their season.

Northgate’s Ashley Herman hit the game-deciding two-run home run to left field in the fifth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie.

Vintage led 2-1 after the top of the fifth off an Ella Gomez single that scored two.

Northgate tied the game in the fifth after an error by Vintage allowed one run to score.

Herman also was the starting pitcher for Northgate, finishing the game with 13 strikeouts and seven innings pitched.

Leadoff hitter Aliyah McDonald led the Crushers (15-12) with two hits in four at-bats.

Division 4

No. 12 Analy 5, No. 4 Del Norte 1: Olivia Padron and Bella Jurek each had two hits and two RBIs as the Tigers scored an upset on the road Friday in Crescent City to reach their first NCS semifinal since 2016.

Ryann Brown also had two hits for Analy, while Liliana Bloom and Lexi Brady each added hits and Brady also knocked in an RBI.

Analy starting pitcher Carlee Maddocks lasted four innings, allowing six hits, one earned run and one walk.

Jurek came in for the final three innings in relief, holding Del Norte hitless while striking out five and walking one.

Analy will next play Tuesday in Concord against No. 9 Berean Christian, which defeated No. 1 Albany on Saturday.

Division 5

No. 2 Acalanes 8, No. 7 Montgomery 4: The Vikings’ season came to an end with Friday’s road loss in Lafayette.

After trailing early, Montgomery (14-13) was able to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a double by Elise Mitchell and a single by Quinn Mate. But Acalanes responded quickly by scoring three runs in the bottom of the frame.

Montgomery’s offense did well at the plate, tallying 10 hits in the game. Ryan Page led the Vikings hitters with three hits, while Matel added two and Michell delivered a pair of RBIs in addition to her double.

Division 6

No. 5 Justin-Siena 6, No. 4 St. Vincent 1: The Braves delivered an upset Friday in Petaluma to reach the NCS semifinal round and end the Mustangs’ season.

Lilah Fern led Justin at the plate with three RBIs and two hits.

Pitcher Lily Aguilera earned the win for the Braves, allowing four hits and one run over seven innings.

Makayla Bignardi also pitched a complete game for the Mustangs (7-9), striking out 10.

The Braves (9-13) will now travel to face top-seeded Swett at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Crockett.

No. 2 Healdsburg 11, No. 7 St. Patrick-St. Vincent 8: The Greyhounds trailed after the top of the first inning Friday but seized the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning en route to securing their first trip to the section semifinal round since 2007.

Mia Halvorsen led the way for the home team, going 3-for-4 at the plate and also pitching all seven innings while striking out nine.

Claire Berry had a team-high four RBIs for Healdsburg. The Greyhounds outhit the Bruins 11 to 9.

Healdsburg (13-12) will host No. 3 Willits at 7 p.m. Wednesday.