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Los Alamitos celebrates their win over JSerra in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) Los Alamitos’ Zoe Tourzani celebrates with her team after defeating JSerra during CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) Los Alamitos catcher Allysen Pitcox, left, tags out JSerra’s Ava Van Herd, right at home plate in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) Los Alamitos’ Cienna Kowaleski, right, low fives her coach Rob Weil, left, as she scores a run in CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship game against JSerra Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) JSerra pitcher Liliana Escobar reacts to late inning hits by opponent Los Alamitos during CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) Los Alamitos’ Ryann Velazquez makes the catch during the CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship game against JSerra Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) JSerra’s Lauren Gaitley tries to handle a ground ball during CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs against Los Alamitos Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) JSerra’s Liliana Escobar throws to the plate in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs against Los Alamitos Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) JSerra fans cheer on their team during CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs against Los Alamitos Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) Los Alamitos pitcher Jaliane Brooks hurls a pitch to the plate against J Serra in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine. (Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) Los Alamitos celebrates its win against J Serra in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine. (Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) J Serra’s Ava Van Heerde fields a fly ball in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs against Los Alamitos Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine. (Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 12Los Alamitos celebrates their win over JSerra in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday May 30, 2025 in Irvine.(Photo by Greg Andersen, Contributing Photographer) ExpandIRVINE — Los Alamitos’ softball team came about as close as possible to losing to JSerra in the bottom of the seventh inning of a dramatic CIF-SS Division 2 championship game Friday.
The Griffins escaped with a defensive play for the ages, and secured their reward a few innings later.
Cienna Kowaleski hit a two-run home run to highlight a three-run 10th inning and freshman Jaliane Brooks pitched a complete game as Los Alamitos defeated JSerra 3-0 at Deanna Manning Stadium.
The Griffins (21-12) forced extra innings in the bottom of the seventh when shortstop Kalie Matsuno threw out the potential winning run at the plate for the final out off a relay from the outfield.
“Things can happen in a split second and a tide can turn at any time,” said Los Alamitos coach Rob Weil, who won his seventh section title to tie Norco’s Rick Robinson for most by a section softball coach.
“I thought that was a huge momentum breaker for (JSerra) and a huge momentum (boost) for us getting that play at the plate.”
In its first section final, JSerra (19-14) found a spark in the seventh with a two-out single by No. 9 hitter and freshman Ava Van Heerde. Leadoff batter Brooke Stephens, one of the Lions’ two senior starters, then drove a ball into the gap in left center.
Los Alamitos defense sprung into action. Center fielder Alivia Magallanes raced to the ball and threw to Matsuno. The Florida-committed senior fired the relay to New Mexico-bound catcher Allysen Pitcox, who applied the tag in a close play.
“I just knew I had to get the ball out as quick as I can,” Matsuno said of the throw. “We practice this every day at practice. … I knew we could do it. We all trust each other so much to where we just had to play for each other.”
Said Pitcox of the tag, “I knew I had her.”
Alivia Magallanes, Los Alamitos’ No. 9 hitter, opened the 10th with an infield single against JSerra ace Liliana Escobar. With one out, the Griffins snapped the scoreless tie with Matsuno driving a ball to the gap in right center. The Lions’ throw to third base got away to allow Magallanes to score from first base
One batter later, the Santa Clara-bound Kowaleski launched an opposite-field home run to left to make it 3-0.
Brooks quickly retired JSerra in the bottom of the 10th to complete the longest outing of her young career.
What a game! Los Al beats JSerra 3-0 in 10! pic.twitter.com/Dap7tqBF2d
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) May 31, 2025
“I knew what was at stake,” said Brooks, who scattered nine hits and struck out five. “I knew I had to lock in.”
Weil said of Brooks, “She’s got ice in her veins. She hits spots. She’s not afraid to go right at batters. … (One) of the most well-composed freshman I’ve coached.”
Escobar, a junior, allowed nine hits and struck out 16.
“She’s a competitor and she’s been our go-to all season,” JSerra coach Katie Stith said of Escobar. “We’ve really battled and we played very, very well. … But I think it matters when you’ve played in this environment.”
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