Editor’s note: Pacifica High subsequently lost in the fourth round of the playoffs. That game occurred after press time. The OCN is working on the story and will post shortly.
Editor’s note: Pacifica High subsequently lost in the fourth round of the playoffs. That game occurred after press time. The OCN is working on the story and will post shortly.
It’s tough for softball teams to win on the road, especially in the postseason.
Pacifica High made this task look easy, though. It crushed host Orange Lutheran with a 13-1 victory in the third round of the CIF Division-III playoffs.
“The team is playing great right now,” Pacifica head coach Mark Campbell said. “We got off to a slow start, but the girls have rallied around each other and worked hard to get where we are now.
Nicole DeWitt remained hot offensively, delivering more home runs as well as four RBI and five runs scored. DeWitt, who batted 3-for-3, connected for a pair of home runs, which marked her third of the playoffs and seventh this season. She also reached safely base during all five at-bats, walking twice and smacking a single.
Additionally, junior Brooke Marquez had only one hit – but it was a big hit. Indeed, Marquez swatted a two-run homer, which marked her first long ball of the year.
In all, the Mariners (27-5) finished with 12 hits – eight more than the opposition.
The hitters have been patient at the plate, looking for their pitch to hit,” Campbell said. “And the defense is right where we want them to be at this time of year”.
Indeed, the Mariners played perfect defense, committing no errors while the Lancers made five – most of them costly.
Pacifica didn’t wait long to do some damage, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. The Mariners scored their first run off an error, Faith Canfield doubled to score the other run. Canfield, who went 3-for-4, eventually finished with three RBI as well as a double.
The Mariners went on to score in every single inning except the third, notching two more in the second, three in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth. They also ended the game with a three-run seventh to eliminate the Lancers.
Pitcher Kaylee Carlson, who owns a 0.49 ERA, impressed, dazzled and delivered another gutsy performance on the rubber, where she recorded seven strikeouts and walked just one hitter. She also allowed just four hits and one earned run.
