Coast Union concludes perfect league softball season

The Coast Union softball team wrapped up the Coast Valley League championship with an 8-4 win over Valley Christian Academy on May 10, and three days later defeated Shandon 14-1 in five innings to boost its undefeated CVL record to 10-0.

In the title-clinching win over VCA, senior Maddie May belted a home run, scored three runs on three hits and drove in a pair of runs. Senior Ashley Martinez had three RBI, sophomores Ani Corbet and Alyssa Drew each drove in a run, and Corbet scored two runs.

Senior pitcher Ellie Magnuson allowed six hits, struck out six and walked five; the Lady Broncos played error-free ball on defense.

In the victory over Shandon, May and Martinez each had a pair of hits; Reagan Kniffen added three hits, and Coast Union capitalized on a dozen walks from Shandon pitchers. Magnuson struck out 15 and walked two; at the plate, she doubled in a run and scored three runs.

Winning the CVL is not a new experience for the Lady Broncos since the team hit rock bottom with an 0-10 league record in 2011. In 2012, Coast tied with North County Christian (11-1) for the CVL title, and in 2013 the team began a string of four undefeated seasons in the CVL (10-0, 8-0, 9-0, and 10-0 in 2016).

Coach Rocky Fordyce says his team is healthy and for the playoffs will concentrate on playing “small ball” (bunting and moving base runners into scoring position); on defense the team will “prep on all things” leading up to this week’s playoff game.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Coast Union concludes perfect league softball season."