Norco wins Dave Kops Tournament of Champions for a record fifth time
The Norco softball team already had seen two leads disappear Saturday night.
Kimberly Neal refused to let it happen a third time.
Neal tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, and Norco scored eight unanswered runs down the stretch to beat Los Alamitos 13-8 in the championship game of the Dave Kops Tournament of Championship in Bullhead City, Ariz.
Norco (11-0) won the prestigious tournament for a record fifth time and first time since defeating Los Alamitos in 2019. The Cougars also won the Tournament of Champions in 2009, 2012 and 2017.
Neal, a sophomore, had thrown only four innings in 10 games this season. She had not pitched at the tournament until she was summoned in the fourth inning Saturday after Los Alamitos scored four times to take an 8-5 lead. Neal allowed a walk and a single in the sixth inning, but she escaped the jam with an inningending double play.
Norco’s comeback started in the fifth inning, as Riley Potter and Maddy Aguilera smacked back-to-back doubles to trim the deficit to 8-6. Norco loaded the bases with one out in the sixth inning, and Potter turned on a 2-1 pitch and crushed it over the left-field fence for a grand slam. It marked the third straight game Potter homered.
Norco loaded the bases again in the seventh inning, this time with no outs. Mya Perez singled home one run, and Alyssa Hovermale knocked in two more on another single.
Potter and Perez each drove in four runs in the game.
It was more than enough for Neal, who retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory.
Norco beat Los Alamitos in the season opener, a game that saw the teams combine for only three runs (all by Norco).
After a scoreless opening inning, Saturday championship game quickly turned into a slugfest.
Norco took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, with Sasha
Pham and Kaley Cook each driving in a run.
Los Alamitos (7-2) answered back in the bottom of the third inning. Taryn Clements doubled in a pair of runs, as did Malayna Terrones to give the Griffins a 4-2 lead.
Perez launched a three-run home run in the fourth inning to help Norco regain the lead, but Perez gave it back when Giselle Alvarez belted a three-run shot of her own. Clements singled in a run to extend the Griffins’ lead to 8-5.
Norco finished the evening with 14 hits, while Los Alamitos collected 12 hits in the game.
Cook and Perez each had three hits to lead the way for Norco. Alyssa Ramos had three hits to lead Los Alamitos.
Here are the first high school softball rankings for the 2023season. Records reflect results through Sunday. 1. NORCO (11-0)
Mya Perez went 8 for 14 with four home runs and 11 RBIS at the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions.
2. MURRIETA MESA (7-1-1)
Catcher Jasmyn Burns is batting .452 and leads the Rams with seven home runs and 18 RBIS.
3. BEAUMONT (6-1)
Cambria Salmon has been her usual dominant self, with a 0.17ERA and 76strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings.
4. RIVERSIDE POLY (11-0-1)
Miranda De Nava already has recorded 106 strikeouts, and catcher Maddy Webb has seven home runs.
5. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (12-0-1)
Freshman Jordin Washington is batting .500and also leads the team with 19 runs and 11 stolen bases.
6. TEMESCAL CANYON (8-1-1)
Xiane Romero belted a walkoff home run to help the Titans pull out a 7-6victory over Vista Murrieta.
7. AYALA (6-0-1)
Taelor Walker and Mckenzy Beccera have combined to hit seven home runs and drive in 22 runs.
8. CAJON (6-2)
Junior pitcher Jada Villegas is off to another strong start, racking up 55strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings.
9. RAMONA (11-2)
Sophomore Olivia Chavez is batting .435 and also leads the team with four home runs and 15 RBIS.
10. VALLEY VIEW (5-2-1)
Catcher Alyssa Torres is one of the area’s most exciting freshmen and is batting .700 with 14 RBIS.
Teams on the bubble: