Unearned Run Beats Bollinger

There was an unlikely losing pitcher Thursday in the first Orange County Coaches All-Star Softball Classic in Irvine.

Mater Dei’s Tia Bollinger, who went 30-2 during the regular season, gave up an unearned run in the first inning of a 1-0 loss to a collection of high school seniors representing the Century, Empire, Garden Grove, Olympic, South Coast and Sunset leagues.

Rancho Alamitos’ Kristina Hyllested, Fountain Valley’s Natalie King, Marina’s Steffany Stenglein and Orange Lutheran’s Jessica Edwards combined for a three-hitter as the American team of seniors defeated the National team.

Los Alamitos’ Kristin Farber singled, took second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third base and scored when the throw from Rosary catcher Natalie Golda went off the glove of Brea Olinda’s Tiala Tagaloa for an error.

Mesa, Calvary Chapel’s Erica Greenberg, Los Alamitos’ Darcey Brown, Esperanza’s Melissa Fox and Fountain Valley’s King added hits for the American team.

Bollinger surrendered two hits and struck out three in three innings. King, who allowed a single to Irvine’s Kari Singley and struck out five, was the only other pitcher to throw three innings.

Stenglein and Edwards pitched two hitless innings and struck out four apiece.