With a runner on third and one out, Chelsey Seagraves hits a slow bouncer to the right side and Brenner breaks for home. The throw comes in and Brenner slides way past home plate but reaches back, slaps the plate and the umpire yells, "Safe!"

The Falcons win, the Falcons win.

The Saratoga softball team defeated North Monterey County 1-0 on May 21 in the second round of the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs. The Falcons earned a first-round bye.

The game finally went in Saratoga's favor after 10 innings of play. Both teams struggled at the plate against strong pitching and both teams were nearly perfect in the field.

"All the long practices emphasizing bunts and slaps," said Saratoga head coach Al Pezino. "These girls put together the best game I've seen in my five years at Saratoga."

Nikki Franchi was on the mound for the Falcons. She was a little out of character, only striking out eight rather than her usual double digits.

Brenner was a vacuum at shortstop, fielding 10 balls flawlessly. Priscilla Chan was equally as impressive at third base, handling five chances hit her way.

The top of the 10th marked only the second time of the day that North Monterey had a runner at second base and this time it was because of the universal tiebreaker. [In a tie game, at the beginning of the ninth inning a runner begins on second base.] North Monterey wasted its first out in a failed bunt attempt that ended with one of Franchi's strikeouts. Despite the runner on second to open the inning, Franchi pitched through the inning without allowing a run.

Saratoga will now face Leigh on May 24, 4:30 p.m. at PAL Stadium in the CCS semifinals. The Saratoga-Leigh winner will face the Mitty-Presentation winner for the CCS championship on May 28 at PAL.

Westmont was not as lucky against North Monterey in the first round of the CCS playoffs. The Warriors lost 5-3 after allowing four runs in the second inning with two outs.

"We hit the ball, but we hit it too hard," said Westmont head coach Jon Hennig. "We would hit a line drive into the outfield, but it would get to the fielder before we could score."

Breanna Kuhny came in to pitch for the Warriors after the five runs had crossed the plate and shut down North Monterey until she gave up one run in the sixth. "They got ahead early," said Hennig. "We just couldn't catch up."

Ashley Britton went 4 for 4 and scored once for Westmont and Alison Carrothers had a pair of hits. Rachel Gellman smacked two hits and scored one of the three runs for Westmont. Lisa Parola scored the third run for the Warriors.

"They made all the plays," said Hennig. "We just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it; but we never gave up."

Prospect began CCS play well, defeating Redwood Christian 11-1 in six innings on May 19. But the luck didn't last for the Panthers when they met Capuchino in the second round of the playoffs on May 21, losing 10-0 in five innings.