Hart Gets Act Together, 6-0

Hart High was on the ropes.

Ranked as high as No. 2 last month in one national softball poll, the Indians failed to win their fourth consecutive Foothill League title, losing the championship game last week to Valencia and stumbling into Friday’s first round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

But they regained their balance, defeating Buena, 6-0, at Newhall Park to advance to a second-round matchup against Golden League champion Quartz Hill, a 5-0 winner over Sultana, on Tuesday at a site to be determined.

“We’ve moved on and put the Valencia game behind us,” said Pittsburgh-bound pitcher Casey Pickard (12-3), who threw a two-hitter against the Bulldogs (15-9).

The Indians stroked 12 hits off Ashley Sarver (5-6) and Alicia Morales and had runners in scoring position each inning.

Nine Hart players hit safely, including Lindsey Kontra, Nicole Delfino and Meaghann Flaherty, who each had two hits.

Hart led, 3-0, in the sixth, when Pickard keyed a three-run rally with a two-run single for her 20th and 21st run batted in.