Bears advance to CIF quarterfinals with win over Sierra Canyon

DOWNEY – The Warren High School softball team has advanced to the quarterfinal round of the C.I.F. Division 3 playoffs.

The Bears defeated Chino (21-7-1, 12-3) at Chino 14-3 on May 2, defeated Sierra Canyon (10-9, 5-3) at Warren 5-2 on Tuesday and hosted West Ranch (16-7, 8-2) at Warren yesterday (score unavailable at press time).

In the Chino game, the Bears trailed 2-1 after one inning of play but tied the game at two in the top of the second inning. Chino did not score in the bottom of the second inning so the score was tied at two after two innings of play. Neither team scored in the third inning and the score was tied 2-2 heading into the top of the fourth inning.

Warren came alive in the top of the fourth inning and pushed four runs across the plate. Chino scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning so Warren led 6-3 after four innings of play. The Bears tacked on five more runs in the top of the fifth inning and held Chino scoreless. Warren took a commanding 11-3 lead into the top of the sixth inning.

The Bears added three more runs in the top of the sixth inning and held Chino to no runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. As per softball rules, the game was over after six innings of play due to the mercy rule.

If Warren defeated West Ranch on Thursday, the Bears will play the winner of the Troy/Woodrow Wilson game next Tuesday.

Coach Starksen, her staff and players are playing their best softball of the season right now when it matters most.

WARREN BASEBALL: The Warren High School baseball team saw their season come to an end at La Canada (20-7, 10-2,) 2-1, in nine innings on Tuesday in the second round of the C.I.F. Division 3 playoffs. Warren defeated Cal High (18-10, 8-4), 10-2, on May 2 to advance to their second-round game.

Warren finished their season with an overall record of 24-8 and a San Gabriel Valley League record of 7-3. The Bears finished in a tie for second place with cross-town rival Downey (7-3) in league play but won the second of their two meetings, 5-4 at Warren, on April 11.

In the La Canada game, the score was tied 0-0 after five innings of play. Warren scored a run in the top of the sixth inning and held La Canada scoreless in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bears did not score in the top of the seventh inning but La Canada pushed a run across in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score at one and force extra innings.

Neither team scored in the eighth inning and the score remained 1-1 after eight innings of play. The Bears could not score a run in the top of the ninth inning but La Canada managed to push the winning run across in the bottom of the ninth inning to get the win, 2-1.

Coach Pearson, his staff and underclassmen will now turn their attention to next season.

DOWNEY SOFTBALL: The Downey High School girls’ softball team saw their season come to an end on Tuesday afternoon with a 4-0 loss at home against Rio Mesa in the second round of the C.I.F. Division 2 playoffs.

Rio Mesa is the Pacific View League champion and has an overall record 20-5 and a league record of 14-1. The Lady Vikings finished their season with an overall record of 18-15 and a San Gabriel Valley League record of 8-2.

Downey defeated South Hills at South Hills 5-0 in the first round of the C.I.F. Division 2 playoffs. In that game, Destiny Garcia started the first inning by drawing a walk. She stole second base and advanced to third on an over throw and stole home as the second baseman was trying to bring the ball to the pitcher. The score was 1-0 after this single play and the score remained 1-0 through the first three innings of play.

Hailey Harris went 1-3 with a double that started Downey’s second rally in the fourth inning. Harris scored Downey’s second run and also threw a complete game shutout with 14 strikeouts while only facing 24 batters. Harris gave up one walk, two hits and another batter reached base on an error.

Sara Luna went 1-2 with one walk, two stolen bases and scored one run. Luna bunted for a base hit in the top of the fourth inning that advanced Hailey Harris’ courtesy runner, Marissa Gurrola, to third.

Molly Houts came in for a pinch-hit situation and put down a squeeze bunt that scored one more run and advanced to second base when she saw that no one was covering the bag. Houts eventually scored on Angie Dumlao’s double. Dumlao went 1-3 with a double and an RBI.

Alyssa Porras went 1-3 and scored on Joeie Gallardo’s double in the top of the sixth inning. Gallardo went 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Gallardo also caught a bunt that was popped up to third base. This bunt that was caught turned into a double play as Gallardo threw the ball to second baseman Destiny Garcia, who did the splits to get the runner out who was on first.

This play eventually killed South Hill’s momentum and gave Downey their first-round playoff win.

Coach Garcia, his staff and underclassmen will now turn their attention to next season.

DOWNEY BOYS SWIM: The Downey High School boys’ swim team saw their season come to an end at the C.I.F. Division 3 swim finals.

The 400-yard freestyle relay of Jose Salazar, Christian Gonzalez, Armando Flores and Tomas Marquez made it to the finals and placed 15th overall. Tomas Marquez was the only swimmer to qualify in an individual event and that was the 200-yard freestyle. Marquez placed 16th overall.

DOWNEY GIRLS LACROSSE: The Downey High School girls’ lacrosse program will be offering free lacrosse clinics this Saturday, May 11, from 1-3 p.m. and next Saturday, May 18, from 12-2 p.m.

The clinic is open to girls ages 6-11 and will be held on the football field at Downey High School.

Questions for the lacrosse clinics may be directed to head coach Marvin Mires at 310-993-4342 or mmires@dusd.net. Mires can also be contacted at DowneyLacrosse.com, on Twitter at @DowneyLacrosse and on Instagram @DowneyLacrosse.

DOWNEY BOYS SOCCER: The Downey High School boys’ soccer program will be offering free soccer clinics this Saturday, May 11, from 1-3 p.m. and next Saturday, May 18, from 9-11 a.m.

The clinic is open to boys ages 6-14 and will be held on the football field at Downey High School.

Questions for the soccer clinics may be directed to head coach Marvin Mires at 310-993-4342 or mmires@dusd.net.