Sacred Hearts stuns Mid-Pacific, 2-1, in eight


Jamie Toler's two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning broke the ice in a game that was scoreless through regulation play, and the Lancers extinguished what looked to be the start of a Mid-Pacific rally with a game-ending double play to give Sacred Hearts a stunning 2-1 victory.

"These girls have a lot of heart, and they play to win. Every game (in the ILH) is a dogfight, but I keep telling these girls, when you work hard good things will come." said Lancers head coach Nani Vegas.

Starter Jordyn Waracka went the distance for Sacred Hearts, allowing just one run on 6 hits with two walks and a strikeout, but the senior pitcher was quick to credit her team's play behind her.

"It was our defense, today they were on fire, so I wanted to do good for them.... they worked so hard and I didn't want to let them down" said Waracka.

And with Mid-Pacific already on the board with a run in the bottom of the eighth and a runner in scoring position with just one out, Toler's stab of a line-drive hit down the third base line and the heads-up throw to second to double off the runner was arguably the biggest one defensively of the afternoon.

Toler described the play. "The ball was hit and I caught it and looked to check (the runner) who took a big lead, and Bree (Breanne Flores) was right threw so I threw it and got her out."

The double-play would put a surprising cap to an equally surprising victory for the Lancers.

"I felt this like explosion inside, like oh my gosh.... I was just so happy." said Toler, who would finish 1-for-4 at the plate, with her one hit coming on the go-ahead two-run homer.

A clearly ecstatic Vegas had this to say about the win. "We've always been just at the crest (of a win over a team like Mid-Pacific)... hopefully today will help catapult us into the second round. To finish strong is the goal."


Reach Brien Ing at [email protected].