Emma Villaviscencio’s walk-off hit helps Granada Hills softball survive Kennedy in City Open Division playoffs

GRANADA HILLS — Emma Villaviscencio found one more swing to keep Granada Hills softball’s title defense alive.

The sophomore outfielder hit a walk-off single in the seventh inning to lift the top-seeded Highlanders (18-10-1, 10-0 West Valley League) to a 3-2 comeback win over No. 8 Kennedy (12-10, 9-1 Valley Mission League) in the first round of the CIF L.A. City Section Open Division playoffs Friday.

Villaviscencio came to the plate with runners at second and third in front of a sold-out crowd, then took a fastball on the inner half and barreled a line drive into left field to score Brooklyn Williams.

The moment capped a chaotic rivalry game between the reigning Open Division champions and a Kennedy team that was pushing for an upset, with defensive miscues helping shape the late innings for both sides.

Villaviscencio had entered the game in the fifth inning, part of a late-game routine for Granada Hills, which relied on her speed in the outfield and quick hands at the plate.

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“I took many deep breaths and blocked out any noise,” Villaviscencio said. “I just had to focus on me and the pitcher and do whatever I could to get that win.”

Granada Hills advanced to play San Pedro next Wednesday at home after overcoming a 2-0 deficit and a pair of miscues that could’ve ended its season.

An error during the third inning put Kennedy ahead 2-0, behind a strong performance by right-hander Ariana Alvarado, who allowed two earned runs.

The Highlanders battled back after designated player Daisha Vizcarra hit a single into left field that brought home third baseman Sophia Gonzalez in the fourth inning.

Granada Hills had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the sixth inning after a single to left brought the tying runner around third. But the ball was misplayed in left field, and a baserunning misjudgment allowed Kennedy to get the potential tying run into a rundown.

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The Highlanders tied the game after junior Aubrie Rodriguez led off with a single and Williams hit a groundball to third. The throw missed the target at first, bounced off the fence and side-rolled into right field, allowing Rodriguez to score.

It was a roller coaster affair that ultimately favored Granada Hills, with bench players like Villaviscencio and Rodriguez playing vital roles to keep the season alive.

Senior April Anaya tossed seven innings, struck out seven and allowed one earned run.

“We’ve been playing so many games and we’ve been focusing so much on mental toughness,” Anaya said.

Kennedy has a bright future ahead after seeing the return of former player Tiare La Porte. La Porte graduated from Kennedy in 2019 and was a catcher at Alabama State.

La Porte returned to her alma mater and was hired in late December after previously coaching at Lake View Charter in Sylmar.

Kennedy had beaten Granada Hills during the last playoff contest between the two teams.

Now La Porte looks to build on her program’s success after not being able to get practices in with her team until March this season.

“I’m super proud of my team,” La Porte said. “I wouldn’t have wanted them to go down any other way. That was a good battle between two really good teams. I’m super proud of them. It just comes down to our hitting and offensive game which is where we struggled.”