Los Alamitos and Norco face off for CIF Title

It’s been CIF-SS Division 1 championship or bust for the Los Alamitos softball team since the final out of the 2016 season. The Griffins are one win away from their goal with top-seeded Norco left in the way. According to MaxPreps, Norco (33-0) and Los Alamitos (27-3) are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country, respectively, setting up a de facto national championship game at Deana Maing Stadium in Irvine at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“They know what’s at stake, but these girls have played in big games before,” Los Alamitos head coach Rob Weil said. “We have a nice game plan and we’re looking forward to it.”

Norco is undefeated so far this year, including a 1-0 win over Los Alamitos earlier in the season in the Michelle Carew Classic. The Cougars have now won 44 out of their last 45 games and have the opportunity to be the first undefeated CIF-SS Division 1 champion in 32 years.

Norco’s potent offense has rolled through the postseason with convincing wins in each round, including a 20-2 win over Pacifica in the quarterfinals. The Cougars have scored 39 runs during the playoffs. Senior Naomi Heandez is their hottest hitter coming into the championship, going 9 for 11 with four RBIs in the last two games. Sophomore Paige Smith is one power source for Norco this season as she belted a three-run home run in the semifinals. It was the first home run hit at Norco this year.

Senior pitcher and Maryland signee Ryan Denhart has been the workhorse all year long for the Griffins and will have the job of slowing down Norco on Saturday. She’s coming off a great outing against Orange Lutheran in the semifinals as she threw a five-hitter in a 1-0 victory. She had 12 strikeouts in the win, including five in a row at one point.

Nine players in the Los Alamitos starting lineup will be playing at NCAA Division I schools next season, led by senior and Oregon signee Mary Iakopo in the middle of the order. Leadoff hitter and Ohio University signee Allie Englant sets the table for the Griffins and she disrupts opposing pitchers on the basepaths.

“We’re super pumped and excited for this opportunity to play in such a big game,” Englant said. “We’re expecting an intense game, but we’ve been working really hard since August and I know our hard work is going to pay off.”

Cal State Fullerton signee Taylor Dockins has over 100 career wins in the circle for Norco and the expected starter against the Griffins.

“This matchup has been in the back of their minds,” Weil said. “We knew we’d have another shot at them in the championship. We’re going to bring high energy.”

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