The 2014 CYO Softball Final Four, held at St. Joseph High School in Lakewood on May 18, featured teams from all four CYO regions.
The championship game featured two familiar softball powerhouses in the St. Louise de Marillac Vikings (Covina) and the Beatitudes of Our Lord Bobcats (La Mirada), whose coaches have each won multiple softball championships at their respective schools. The game was a defensive battle as both pitchers threw the ball hard and tallied multiple strikeouts.
The game looked to be in hand for Beatitudes, leading 2-1 lead going into the top of the sixth inning. However, St. Louise was not ready to concede, scoring on a base hit to right field to tie the game at 2, and sending the game into extra innings.
The tie-break was utilized, placing a runner on second base for each team as they came to bat. St. Louise was unable to get a runner across the plate in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, Beatitudes scored on a walk-off single to win the game and claim the CYO Championship.
The third place game featured St. Francis de Sales of Sherman Oaks and Holy Angels from Arcadia. Holy Angels, still reeling from a tough loss in the semi-finals, took command of the game early to win third place.
Boys Volleyball
CYO Boys Volleyball Finals were held at Cantwell Sacred Heart High School in Montebello on May 22. The two matches were rivalry contests that generated plenty of energy and excitement.
The title game pitted perennial volleyball power American Martyrs (Manhattan Beach) against the defending champs and rival, Corpus Christi (Pacific Palisades) in an all coastal affair. The two teams have battled hard in recent years and this contest was another great challenge for both.
In the first set, the two teams quickly displayed their prowess in playing at a high level with the score staying close throughout. Corpus Christi gained a slight separation toward the end and won the set 25-22. Corpus Christi established a lead midway through the second set until American Martyrs rallied for a 25-22 win and extend the match.
The third set was very exciting with incredible play from both sides. The boys battled back and forth past the 15-point mark, exchanging the lead and serving for match point multiples times before American Martyrs prevailed 29-27 and claim the CYO Championship.
In the consolation game, St. Philip the Apostle (Pasadena) faced local rival Holy Family (South Pasadena) in a Foothill area battle. The teams had met twice earlier with St. Philip’s Falcons winning both matchups during conference play. Holy Family’s Knights, however, showed great determination in winning the first set 25-23. The Falcons came back in the second and third sets, 25-15 and 15-10, to clinch third place.