SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS : Unearned Run Lets San Pasqual Upset Top-Ranked USDHS

Only one team has been able to beat USDHS this season in softball, and it did it again on Tuesday.

San Pasqual, which split a doubleheader with the Dons the first weekend of the season, scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth to upset top-seeded USDHS, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the San Diego Section 2-A softball playoffs at USDHS.

San Pasqual improved to 16-9 and advanced to Thursday’s semifinals at Kit Carson Park, where the Eagles will face fourth-seeded Grossmont. USDHS finished 18-2.

Viki Vechinski, the Dons’ ace who threw a record eighth career no-hitter Saturday, had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning before yielding a single to sophomore Erin Combe.

By then, the Eagles had a 1-0 lead, thanks to an error, a sacrifice, a fielder’s choice and another error with two outs that permitted Jill Combe, Erin’s older sister, to score.

Vechinski lost for the first time in 17 decisions. Renee Williams (10-5) struck out three but allowed only the same number of hits.

San Pasqual beat USDHS and Kelly O’Neill, 4-3, earlier in the year before Vechinski won the nightcap, 2-1.

In other 2-A games:

Grossmont 2, Christian 1--Sophomore Crystal Coldwell homered to left center in the bottom of the 11th to win it for the fourth-seeded Foothillers (17-5). Winning pitcher Jolie Oliver (16-3) had 15 strikeouts. Stephanie Kolesar was three for four and drove in the tying run in the fifth. Losing pitcher Sarah Dawson (12-7) struck out 14 for fifth-seeded Christian (12-7).

Madison 3, San Marcos 0--Third-seeded Madison (17-4) advanced to Thursday semifinal at Kit Carson Park by shutting out San Marcos (18-5).

Escondido 7, University City 0--Second-seeded Escondido (20-2) scored its second big shutout of the postseason, routing University City (13-7) at home to advance to the semifinals against Madison.

3-A

Hilltop 3, Morse 0--Senior Jackie Hill won her 20th game with her 13th shutout, a three-hit, five-strikeout, no-walk performance. Pam Dennis gave Hill (20-4) all the help she needed by going two for three with two RBIs. The Lancers (24-4) advanced to Thursday’s semifinals against Rancho Buena Vista at Kit Carson Park. Morse finished 13-9.

Rancho Buena Vista 2, Patrick Henry 0--Fifth-seeded Rancho Buena Vista (20-4) got its second shutout in the playoffs, downing Patrick Henry (15-6).

Chula Vista 2, Monte Vista 1--Chula Vista (20-6) advanced to the semifinals against Mt. Carmel. Monte Vista finished 11-6.

Mt. Carmel 8, Vista 0--The second-seeded Sundevils piled up 13 hits and beat the Panthers (12-9) for the fourth time this season. Mt. Carmel (19-4) scored four runs in the first inning and four in the sixth. Jennifer Alley was three for four with two triples and two RBIs. Scia Maumausolo was two for three with a triple and three RBIs. Sundevil pitcher Jennifer Ortiz struck out five, walked one and improved to 15-3.