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Simi Valley softball reaches final
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More from Breaking NewsAli Mapes drove in the game-winning run and pitcher Amanda Oliveto was backed by a strong defensive effort to lead the top-seeded Simi Valley High softball team to a 1-0 victory over No. 4 Norco on Tuesday afternoon in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park.
Simi Valley (30-0) is one step away from a perfect season. The Pioneers play defending champion Valencia in the championship game on Friday or Saturday at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.
Simi Valley will be making its third CIF championship appearance in program history and searching for its second title. The Pioneers made back-to-back trips in 1992-93, capturing the 1993 Divison I crown under head coach Suzanne Manlet, who died of breast cancer in 2004.
Simi Valley scored the only run it would need against Norco ace Teagan Gerhart (28-6) with two outs in the fourth inning. Tawny Reeger started it when her infield fly to first dropped on the bag and she reached safely despite a collision with Norco second baseman Kim Pena.
Haley Thomas followed with a single to left field and Mapes' drive to center field scored Reeger from second base as Reeger just beat the throw home with her slide.
Oliveto gave up six hits and struck out nine to improve to 15-0. She escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the third when Norco cleanup hitter Brianna Smith popped out to right field and Simi Valley leftfielder Brianna Stephan made a great diving catch on short fly by Vanessa Viloria to end the threat.
Norco put runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the seventh, but Smith flied out to Reeger at second base for the final out to send Simi into the championship game.
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