Flores nearly perfect in win over the Grizzlies

Jessica Flores worked a perfect game into the fourth inning and settled for a one-hit shutout of Lassen on Tuesday, as the Corning varsity softball team prevailed, 1-0, at home.

Corning’s run came in the third inning, starting with a two-out single by leadoff hitter Erin Lowe, a flare to shallow right field. Lowe advanced on a passed ball and No. 2 batter Britany Silva muscled a ball into the left-center field gap for a stand-up RBI double.

That was all Flores would need, as she issued no walks, hit one batter and struck out 11 for her 19th victory.

Lassen’s Xochitl Salinas broke up the no-hitter in the fifth inning with a ground ball down the third-base line that resulted in a double. Salinas was held there, however, and the Lady Grizzlies never got another runner past first base.

Kelli Williams, who was grazed by an inside pitch in the sixth, was gunned down trying to steal second by Kili Parker.

According to Corning coach Tim Drury, it marked the first time the Lady Cardinals had defeated Lassen in at least six years — the length of Drury’s tenure as coach.

Lassen sophomore Ashley Novasad’s performance on the mound was overshadowed by the loss, but she threw nearly as well as Flores. Novasad kept Corning’s hitters off-balance and though she only struck out two, she held the Lady Cards to just three hits and very few hard-hit balls.

Silva’s double was an exception, as her first-inning single was a shallow pop-up to center field that landed between the shortstop and the center fielder. Jessica Bonilla also hit a hot shot to first base, but Lassen’s Shaylee Untereiner smothered it for an unassisted putout.

Without a doubt, Flores turned in one of the most dominating performances of her career. At one point she struck out six straight batters, during the first, second and third innings. She faced 23 batters in seven innings, which is just two more than the minimum possible.

Corning (5-4 NAL, 19-14) ended the regular season in Yreka yesterday hoping to secure a tie for second-place in the Northern Athletic League. The Lady Cards will likely host a first-round Division IV playoff game on Tuesday.