POWAY – From ace pitcher Jessica McDermott to No. 9 hitter Vanessa Currie, the Mt. Carmel softball team had the right lineup for repeating its section Division II title.

The Sundevils made that clear in yesterday's finals with a 6-1 victory over Scripps Ranch at Sportsplex USA.

McDermott contained the Falcons with a six-hitter in an anticipated pitching duel with the Falcons' Rachel Brown, and Currie's RBI triple in the fifth inning broke a scoreless tie and helped trigger a six-run outburst.

Until the fifth, top-seeded Mt. Carmel (27-4) had gone hitless.

“We know that once someone starts hitting, our whole team starts hitting,” said Currie, a junior in her third varsity season. “We rely on each other, and we know that we can pull through.”

Seven players had one hit apiece for the Sundevils, including a two-run homer by sophomore Alix Johnson to complete their scoring.

“I told the team, 'We want it. They want it. We have to take it,' ” Mt. Carmel coach Ruby Chavez said. “That was our purpose.”

Mt. Carmel's Alexis Derango led off the fifth with a ground single up the middle and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Currie then hit a flare that fell just inside the left-field line for her triple. With two out, the Sundevils struck for five more runs with the help of a bunt single and a sun double.

“We just needed that one more out in that inning, but when they smelled blood, they pretty much went for it,” Scripps Ranch coach Mary Jo Griswold said. “Still, it was a great year for us. I'm proud of our girls.”

The second-seeded Falcons (28-4-2) made their second finals appearance in three years, and Brown increased her section record for strikeouts in one season by adding eight for a total of 400.

McDermott struck out 11 and didn't allow a run until the seventh.

“I figured (beforehand) that one mistake could cost the game, so I just came out with everything,” said McDermott, a senior right-hander.

Mt. Carmel also had a six-run fifth in its 10-1 semifinal victory over Westview.

“The fifth has always been our inning,” Currie said. “I don't why, even last year. We make the fifth our inning.”