Live Oak pulls off upset, eliminates Cardinals

The Corning varsity softball team’s sixth-inning rally fell short on Tuesday in the Division IV playoffs, as the fourth-seeded Lady Cardinals lost to No. 5 Live Oak, 4-3, at home.

Corning scored in the first inning and junior ace Jessica Flores carried a shutout into the fifth, but the Lady Lions tied the score at 1 and strung together three more runs the following inning to go ahead 4-1.

Corning’s initial run came after Erin Lowe was hit by a pitch. She scored on a run-scoring single from Kili Parker.

Live Oak knotted the score in the fifth and smacked three extra base hits in the sixth to generate a three-run lead. Corning’s offense went to work right away trying to dig out of the hole.

Flores and Parker hit back-to-back singles and JV call-up Erica White reached on an error to score Flores. Parker crossed on a RBI single from Britany Silva, but the tying run was stranded.

Live Oak failed to extend its lead in the seventh, and Corning threatened but was also unable to push a run across. A pair of Live Oak errors put the potential game-winning run in scoring position, but pitcher Courtney Souza thwarted the hosts with pure guile. Flores drilled Souza with a line drive,

but Souza managed to pick up the ball and throw Flores out at first by a half-step to end the game.

Flores worked a complete game for Corning, allowing four earned runs on five hits with two walks, a hit batter and eight strikeouts.

Souza dodged four errors by her defense, holding Corning to four hits. She struck out one batter and issued no bases on balls.

Corning’s season ends with a record of 19-16 (5-5 NAL) while Live Oak advanced to play top-seeded Sutter.