Laguna Hills’ Scofield Heeds Advice

LAKEWOOD —  Talk about mixed messages.

With a one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning, Laguna Hills pitcher Windy Scofield gave up a leadoff single up the middle to Irvine’s Monika Hollstein in the Southern Section Division II softball championship Wednesday night.

That prompted Laguna Hills’ catcher Lesley Haynes to sprint out to the mound to console Scofield.

“I told her I loved her,” Haynes said.

When Scofield allowed an infield single to the next batter, Irvine’s Natalie Tomoguchi, first baseman Jennifer Milo rushed to Scofield’s side.

“I told her if she’d try to pitch strikes, we’d make the plays behind her,” Milo said.

Scofield heard it all. What’s more, she believed everything they said.

Irvine’s Annette Smith flew to left for the first out and Meaghan Woodruff flew to center for Out No. 2. Then, in what would be the final play of the game, second baseman Amber Journell, a freshman, did some fancy footwork to make a heads-up catch on a well-hit ball by Amy Middleton.

Out No. 3. Laguna Hills ekes out the 5-4 victory at Lakewood’s Mayfair Park, giving the Hawks their first section softball title since their co-championship with Woodbridge in 1987.

“All year, we’ve been telling (Amber) she had to turn and run when she saw a ball hit like that. When I saw her turn, I knew we’d win the game.”

For Scofield, who has been on a tear during playoffs, it was a night of uncharacteristic nervousness and pitching.

Through four games, the sophomore allowed 11 hits. Against Irvine Wednesday, she gave up 10.

“She was out of character tonight,” Laguna Hills Coach Cary Crouch said.

Scofield couldn’t explain everything, but blamed the importance of the game and her ongoing back problems.

“I was worried about my back,” she said. “I was really nervous before the game, I just wanted to beat them. I got a little scared, I wasn’t pitching as good as usual.”

During the final inning, Scofield focused on throwing as hard as she could and let the chips fall where they may.