Piedmont High School’s softball team went one-and-done in the West Alameda County Conference championships, falling at San Leandro on May 6, 11-1 in a game shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule.
The Highlanders actually played the Pirates near even for 3 ½ innings but San Leandro got six in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the fifth to end the contest early.
Jade Orta singled in one run and a second run scored on an error by left fielder Kajsa Benson to give the Pirates the 10-run lead. Earlier in the inning, Isabella Lopez-Puertas singled in a run for San Leandro.
The killer inning was the fourth, however. Miya Fujimoto went the first three for Piedmont, allowing two earned runs on one hit. She struck out seven and walked two. The Highlanders got one of those runs back in the top of the fourth when Sa’mara Levi singled in Mia Leggett. With one out, Piedmont had runners at first and third and a chance to tie or even take the lead.
However, Marina Sacrey struck out Samantha Ronen and Caitlin Boothby to get out of the jam.
Angelina Wu came on in the bottom of the fourth. She allowed a walk and a single to start the frame and consecutive Piedmont errors each allowed a run to score.
Julianna Morales and Sacrey hit consecutive run-scoring singles to make it 6-1. Two more Highlanders errors allowed two more runs to score and Piedmont was in a hole it would not get out of.
Wu and Levi had the only two hits for the Highlanders. Sacrey went all five innings and struck out seven against no walks. Sacrey also had two hits to lead the Pirates offense.
On May 3, Piedmont ended the regular season with a 6-5 win at Hayward. The game got wild at the end after being tied 2-2 through five.
Fujimoto gave the Highlanders a 3-2 lead when she led off the sixth with a home run to center. The Farmers tied it up when Riley Norman tripled in a run in the bottom of the inning.
An error put Piedmont back up in the top of the seventh. Fujimoto then blasted a two-run home run to center to make 6-3.
Fujimoto was on the mound and got the first two Hayward hitters. But a single and an error kept the Farmers alive. Dorthy Palega then doubled in both runners. After an intentional walk, Fujimoto got Ashley Morales to ground into a force play to end the game.
Fujimoto went the final five innings to pick up the win. She allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Wu went the first two innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts against no walks.
Toni Crittendon went the distance for Hayward, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out five.
Fujimoto went 2-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored to lead the Highlanders. Wu went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Boothby and Sophena Tuli also had hits for Piedmont.
Norman, Crittendon and Lovanita Cabanas had two hits apiece for the Farmers.
On May 1, Piedmont fell at home to Mt. Eden, 12-8. The Highlanders had a 6-4 lead through three innings, but allowed five runs in the top of the fourth. Fujimoto went the distance and took the loss, allowing five earned runs and eight hits. She walked seven and struck out four.
Faith Kuykendall went 4 1/3 innings for Mt. Eden, allowing seven runs (four earned) on seven hits with six walks and three strikeouts. Andrea Toledo went the final 2 1/3, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and no strikeouts.
Fujimoto went 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI for the Highlanders. Wu was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Eunice Kouadio was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Leggett was 1-for-2 with two RBI.
Toledo went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI for the Monarchs. Kailyn Trigos was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI. Jasmine Cruz went 1-for-5 with three runs scored.
NCS playoff berths will be announced May 12.