PREP ROUNDUP : Fricke’s Bases-Loaded Single Pushes El Toro Past Katella

Jennifer Fricke’s single to left with the bases loaded in the seventh inning drove in Kelli Bruce and gave El Toro a 4-3 victory over visiting Katella in a nonleague softball game Wednesday.

The Chargers’ offense had to make up for a defense that committed four errors.

With two outs and two on in the second, Katella’s Michelle Bye singled to center, driving in Lauri Rossini. Jamie Vaicaro then grounded to second baseman Samantha Smithson, who bobbled the ball, allowing Stacy Nelson and Bye to score and give Katella (2-4) a 3-1 lead.

“We’ve been struggling a bit to find ourselves defensively,” El Toro Coach Jim Daugherty said. “Fortunately, our offense came through.”

Behind, 3-2, in the sixth inning, Fricke, Charger right fielder, led off with a triple. Jennifer Hamer followed with a bunt, which third baseman Vaicaro fielded. After looking back at Fricke, she threw to first too late to get Hamer. Fricke scored on the throw.

Katella’s Kelsi Armbruster, who struck out five, hit Bruce in the ankle with a pitch to open the seventh. Bruce stole second, took third as Armbruster hesitated after fielding Corrie Sharp’s bunt, then scored on Fricke’s single.

Winning pitcher Jodi Smith (2-4) had five strikeouts for El Toro (9-4).