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Orange Lutheran softball team outlasts Chino Hills in Division 1 slugfest

May 17, 2026

ORANGE — The postseason can produce unlikely heroes.

Saturday, in a Division 1 softball game where runs were scored at near record pace, seldom-used sophomore pitcher Charlee Pierpoint had the final word.

Pierpoint retired all four batters she faced, earning the save while preserving Orange Lutheran’s 17-14 victory over Chino Hills in a second-round slugfest.

“I was pretty nervous, but I trusted my teammates behind me,” said Pierpoint, who had thrown nine innings in five appearances prior to Saturday’s contest.

Pierpoint was the only pitcher who had much success, as these teams played the third-highest-scoring Division 1 (or previous equivalent) softball game in CIF Southern Section history. It was the highest-scoring one since 1975, when Simi Valley beat Mary Star of the Sea in Division 4A (then the top division).

“This definitely was a team win today,” Orange Lutheran coach Steve Miklos said. “If it wasn’t someone at the plate, someone was making that big play on defense. And then Charlee comes in and closes it out. We emphasize that even if you’re not starting a game, be ready to go because we might need you.”

The offenses commanded the spotlight Saturday, as Orange Lutheran and Chino Hills combined for 32 hits, 14 for extra bases, including six home runs.

Orange Lutheran (21-8) struck first, with Sierra Nichols leading of the bottom of the first with an infield single. She stole second and third and scored the first run on a throwing error on the second steal. Lancers starting pitcher Rylee Silva capped the inning with a two-run single that pushed the lead to 4-0.

Chino Hills (21-8) quickly responded, as Brett Lambrecht doubled in a run and Jordyn Sherill doubled home two more to get the Huskies within a run.

Nichols sparked another big outburst in the bottom of the second with a leadoff triple. The Lancers batted around for a second time and scored four times.

Chino Hills again answered back, with Milena Medyn and Lambrecht each slugging a two-run homer to trim the deficit to 8-7 in the top of the third inning.

“We could have easily rolled over after a couple of those innings, but these girls kept battling,” Huskies coach Richard Gaither said. “I’m so proud of that.”

Orange Lutheran extended its lead to 12-7 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman Eliza Johnson came of the bench and belted a three-run homer.

Sherill knocked in two more runs in the top of the fifth to get Chino Hills within 12-9, but Orange Lutheran batted around for the third time and scored five more in the bottom half. Silva ripped a two-run homer, and Nichols, a slap-hitter, poked one over the wall for the first homer run of her high school career.

“She’s been wanting to hit one out in practice. She’s come close but never done it,” Miklos said. “Then she comes out and gets one over in a big game.”

Added Nichols: “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting that. As a slapper, I’m looking for gaps and getting on base. I ‘m happy about it and that I helped my team.”

Chino Hills did not go quietly, however. Lambrecht capped a big afternoon with a two-run double and Lianna Ferrera launched a three-run home run over the left-field fence to get the Huskies within 17-14. That’s when Pierpoint was summoned from the bullpen for just her second appearance since April 12.

“She’s going to be real good,” Miklos said. “She doesn’t throw as hard as our other pitchers, but she’s a lefty and her ball moves. It was a different look.”

Pierpoint had to face the top of Chino Hills’ lineup in the top of the seventh, but she got a ground out sandwiched between two fly outs to end the game.

“I just trust the pitch-calling from my coach,” Pierpoint said about recording those final four outs. “I look to hit my spots and hope it all works in my favor.”

Orange Lutheran travels to La Habra for a quarterfinal game Wednesday afternoon. La Habra (22-7) took out top-seeded Murrieta Mesa 6-4 on Saturday.

It’s a redemption season for the Lancers, who were seeded No. 3 in Division 1 last year only to be upset by Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the first round.

“We still have it in the back of our minds,” junior third baseman Carlyn Snyder said. “But we’re just using it as motivation to help us succeed this season.”

Silva struggled inside the circle Saturday afternoon but went 3 for 4 with six RBis at the plate. Nichols finished 4 for 5 and fell a double short of the cycle, while Madelyn Armendariz also went 4 for 5 with three doubles. Snyder scored four runs, while Nichols crossed the plate three times for the Lancers.

Lambrecht went 3 for 3 with a walk, drove in five runs, scored four times and finished just a triple shy of the cycle. Isabella Carrillo also scored four runs.

Orange County Register

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Orange Lutheran softball team outlasts Chino Hills in Division 1 slugfest

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