Alemany Nips Louisville Again

RESEDA — Seems there’s no beating Alemany High for the Mission League softball title. And this season, the Indians might need only nine games to win it.

Alemany, aiming for a sixth consecutive league title, assumed control this week with a pair of narrow victories over first-place Louisville, the second a 1-0 decision Wednesday at Louise Park.

The first-place Indians (17-4, 7-1 in league play), who defeated Louisville by the same score Monday, parlayed three singles and a sacrifice bunt into the only run off sophomore Stephanie Urman (11-9).

Regina Yuhasz and Kim Diener led off the fifth with singles and advanced on a bunt by Sheila Shilati. Yuhasz came home on a sharp single by Annette Ramirez.

That was enough for Diener, who pitched a one-hitter with four strikeouts.

The season sweep of the Royals (11-9, 7-2) positioned Alemany to claim at least a co-championship and the league’s top Southern Section playoff berth with a victory Friday over Notre Dame.

That would make unnecessary for postseason seeding purposes a makeup game scheduled for Saturday against Flintridge Sacred Heart--regardless of the outcome of Louisville’s game against Sacred Heart on Friday.

For Alemany Coach Dudley Rooney, who watched from behind dark sunglasses Wednesday, a 13th league title in his 15th season is within view. The victory was Rooney’s 269th in his career.

“They always play us tough,” Rooney said. “They’re always ready to play.”

Louisville, still in pursuit of its first league title, managed only a fifth-inning single by Jennifer Glennie.

But sophomore pitcher Urman did not allow a hit in any inning but the fifth while striking out one.

Perhaps Alemany’s experience made the difference.

“They’re a quality ballclub and they’ll find a way to win,” Louisville Coach Dana Vasquez said.