DOWNEY - The Downey High School softball team has seen their season come to a close with a second round defeat in the C.I.F. Division III playoffs at Burbank, 1-0, on Tuesday.The Lady Vikings finished their season with an overall record of 22-7-1 and a league record of 9-1. The Lady Vikings finished league play tied for first with cross-town rival Warren but were the number two seed from the S.G.V.L. due to their loss to Warren in the second round of league play. Downey defeated Heritage High School on May 17 in their first round playoff game and, as previously mentioned, were defeated by Burbank in the second round. Ale Guillen was dominant in the Lady Vikings first round game against Heritage. Guillen threw a four hitter and struck out five. Downey entered the C.I.F. Division III playoffs unseeded but ready to play. Coach Karzen said that "we have had a very good season, winning our first league title in over a decade." Karzen maintains that Anissa Urtez and Desirae Romero were the Lady Viking offensive leaders and that Ale Guillen pitched well all year. Karzen also said that Anissa Urtez, Alexis Zavala and left fielder Bernie Juarez made several great defensive plays each. Coach Karzen concluded by saying that this year's Division III playoffs are extremely competitive because so many seeded teams have already been eliminated. Coach Karzen is extremely proud of his team and the hard work they have put in. Karzen is already looking forward to next year and making another run in league play and the C.I.F. playoffs.

********** Published: May 24, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 06