'Wolves freeze Tigers 1-0 in SFL first-place battle

On at least two occasions Thursday during her Woodcreek High softball team's key 1-0 Sierra Foothill League win over Roseville, pitcher Am-anda Eccleston and a few members of her defense hesitated a few seconds after a third out, as though they weren't ready to leave the Mahany Park field. It almost seemed the host Timber-wolves were playing in a vacuum. Maybe, as their coach Art Banks suggested, they're so locked in to taking things one play at a time that important little details like how many outs they've recorded are lost on them."We do that a lot. It's actually a joke with us now," said Eccleston, who threw a four-hitter and struck out eight. "Even if we think it's three outs, we stay out there."Of course, the Tigers might argue that Woodcreek has gotten used to staying on defense when the teams play each other. Last season even as the Timberwolves were en route to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title, Roseville beat Woodcreek in each of their three meetings, scoring no less than five runs each time.With the SFL lead on the line Thursday, Roseville pitcher Katie Parker did all she could to make it four straight for the Tigers (12-6, 3-1) over their rivals. She allowed just one hit in the first five innings and finished with a three-hitter.But the first hit for Woodcreek (16-5, 4-0) proved to be the game-winner. With two outs in the bottom of the third, Timber-wolves' centerfielder Andria Nunes singled to center, scoring Gina Eccleston from second."The team did well, but our hitting wasn't on today. That's uncharacteristic of us," said Parker, who had four strikeouts.Prep SoftballRoseville had been shut out twice before this season, most recently in a 1-0 loss to Mira Loma on April 2. But normally the top of the Tigers' batting order is potent; only Sheila Pacheco hits less than .300 among their first five hitters, and she is still considered among the team's best players. Against Amanda Eccleston Pacheco had a solid single to center in the fourth. But Katie Crabb and Tenaya Tucker, Roseville's No. 3 and No. 4 hitters, were a combined 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.TuesdayOakmont 5, Lincoln 3Trailing 3-1 in the fourth, the host Vikings erupted for six hits and four runs en route to a Pioneer Valley League victory. Janeel Amick, Chelsea Johnson, Melanie Stoer all had run-scoring singles in Oakmont's rally. Winning pitcher Megan McLeery scattered eight hits in going the distance.Granite Bay 11, Johnson 1Tiana Tyeskey's solo home run in the bottom of the fifth closed out the Metro League-leading Grizzlies' (8-9, 4-0) mercy rule win. Melissa Hippo was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI and also threw a five-inning no-hitter with nine strikeouts. Jeannie Crump was 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Kristen Cook was 2-for-3 with two RBI.MondayRoseville 7, Placer 0Winning pitcher Michelle Burkhead allowed only two scratch singles and the Tigers kept their Sierra Foothill League record unblemished. Pacheco was 3-for-4 with two RBI and Crabb added a double and drove in two runs.Junior varsityWoodcreek 1, Roseville 0Kylie Mathus had 10 strikeouts and Kelsey Ortez was 1-for-3 and scored the lone run for the Timberwolves.