Alexis Cooper is as polite and friendly off the softball field as she is intense and determined on it.

So after turning in a dominating performance in leading Sheldon (26-5) past Pleasant Grove 4-1 in Tuesday's Sac-Joaquin Section Division I winner's bracket semifinal at the Sacramento Softball Complex, the junior pitcher was quick to deflect any praise.

"It was a great team effort," said Cooper, who is scheduled to take the mound again in today's 5 p.m. title game against defending section champion Elk Grove. "I'm really proud of my girls. They got timely hits and played great defense behind me."

Cooper neglected to mention that she had two of the four hits allowed by Pleasant Grove's Ally Carda, including a ball that cleared the center-field fence in the sixth that inexplicably was ruled a double instead of a home run by the home plate umpire.

Cooper also hit a rocket off the glove of the Eagles' third baseman in the first inning, ruled an error, that led to the Huskies scoring three runs.

"Ally is a great pitcher, as we all know," said Cooper, who was 19-5 and hit .373 during the regular season. "I just happened to make contact at the right time."

Cooper is a pretty good pitcher in her own right. She limited the Eagles (18-9) to three hits, all singles. The Texas A&M verbal recruit retired the last 10 batters.

Cooper's performance was no surprise to Sheldon coach Mary Jo Truesdale.

"She's worked very hard to get to this spot," Truesdale said. "She's a smart ballplayer and a good leader."

Although Cooper has no problem getting fired up to face Carda and the Eagles, the Huskies' Delta River League rivals, she really wants to see the team's three seniors – DeJanee Moore, Danielle Henderson and Aleisha Brown – leave with another banner. Those three players last won a title in 2008 as freshmen.

Elk Grove, which beat Johansen of Modesto 3-2 and Pleasant Grove 4-1 in loser's bracket games Tuesday, will have to beat Sheldon twice.

Tonight's other 5 p.m. games – Del Oro will face Casa Roble for the D-II championship after knocking out Sierra Foothill League rival Roseville 4-1, and Whitney will meet Rodriguez of Fairfield in the D-III game after beating Pioneer 8-3 in Tuesday's loser's bracket games.

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