Conquistadores Get the Last Word, 3-0

Granada Hills High got its wish, but not the fairy tale ending.

Motivated by published remarks made recently by Granada Hills players, El Camino Real started quickly Thursday, scoring all of its runs in the first inning of a 3-0 victory in a City Championship quarterfinal at El Camino Real.

After losing to the Conquistadores, 1-0, April 26, Granada Hills players made it known they welcomed a rematch in the playoffs. They said they looked forward to it.

The Conquistadores were offended that an opponent they had twice beaten in West Valley League play--including a 6-0 decision--would make such bold statements.

“That pumped us up so much,” said pitcher Melissa Coogan, who scattered three hits and struck out seven. “It made us want it so much more.”

Said Coach Lori Chandler: “It [ticked] them off, totally.”

The No. 3-seeded Conquistadores (25-6) loaded the bases on two singles and an error before Christina Enea’s sacrifice fly drove in Kelly Lombard.

Stacy Nicklaus scored three pitches later on a wild pitch. Megan Zwoyer followed with a run-scoring single up the middle for a 3-0 lead.

El Camino Real tagged starter Jill Leahy (3-6) for four hits in two innings but had trouble against reliever Kat Walsh.

Walsh, who entered the game with a 10-2 record and a 0.72 earned-run average, got into a jam in the third, allowing consecutive singles and a walk to load the bases with none out.

But the freshman right-hander escaped on three consecutive strikeouts.