BY TED APODACA: Santiago High’s softball team had chances against La Quinta High, but the Aztecs broke away late to seal the win and take second place in the Garden Grove League.
The Cavaliers stumbled in the bottom of the sixth as the Aztecs scored four runs to turn a 5-2 lead into a 9-2 win, at La Quinta High.
Despite the loss, the Cavaliers will go into the CIF-SS playoffs with a solid season under their belt. The two teams entered the game tied for second place in the league at 6-3 so the Cavaliers finished as the third place team.
BY TED APODACA: Santiago High’s softball team had chances against La Quinta High, but the Aztecs broke away late to seal the win and take second place in the Garden Grove League.
The Cavaliers stumbled in the bottom of the sixth as the Aztecs scored four runs to turn a 5-2 lead into a 9-2 win, at La Quinta High.
Despite the loss, the Cavaliers will go into the CIF-SS playoffs with a solid season under their belt. The two teams entered the game tied for second place in the league at 6-3 so the Cavaliers finished as the third place team.
Yet, it ties their best finish in the past 10 years. Two years ago they defeated La Quinta in a tie-breaker for third after the two finished tied for third at the end of the regular season.
Fourth year coach Melissa Adams said the team made big strides this year in competing for a chance to play for a second place.
“It’s something they need to be proud of,” Adams said.
The Cavaliers had fallen behind 3-0 before striking back in the top of the third. Junior Halley Komadina tripled and scored on a double by junior Aurora Adams to cut the lead to 3-1. After the Aztecs added a runs in the third and fourth innings, the Cavaliers fought back again in the top of the fifth. Consecutive one-out walks had two runners on but one was caught stealing. Adams was at first and went to third on a bloop single to right by junior pitcher Makayla Peralta. Adams then scored on a double steal, while Peralta took third on the throw to the plate.
But the Aztecs were able to end the threat when shortstop Taryn Nadeau made a running stab of a soft liner up the middle.
Despite the loss, the Cavaliers could be in position to build upon this season as only three seniors will graduate; co-captain Cristal Gonzalez, Maria Basilio and Jenice Marquez. Adams is excited for her younger players to learn from this year’s playoff experience. Adams said the shift this year came from within the players on the team.
“I think that it was just their commitment and wanting to compete,” Adams said.
