Katia Jenkins Brown
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s softball team defeated their rivals Redondo Union High School 3-2 in a home game on Wednesday.
The Mustangs defeated the Seahawks in a close game, using skillful passing between the bases to keep Redondo from stealing their lead. Costa pulled through with sophomore Serena Ponciano catching an outfield ball in the last inning, ending the game in a 3-2 victory.
“We haven’t beat Redondo in a really long time, and it was super exciting to come through with the win,” junior batter Emily Eudy said. “It got scary at the end, but we were able to keep it together.”
In the first inning, The Mustangs tied 1-1 with Redondo until Ponciano ran home and Costa took the lead, putting the score at 2-1. The Mustangs struggled to keep their lead, and were ultimately successful after senior picture Elliott Estes pitched three outs in the second inning.
“The game was really intense because they’re our rivals, and because it was a really close score the whole game,” freshman first base Veronica Chaidez said. “We really backed up our pitcher, which the other team wasn’t doing, so that gave us an advantage.”
Sophomore third base Grace Herron and Eudy kept the Seahawks from running any bases with quick passes between the plates during the third inning. Combined with Estes’ pitching causing Redondo batters to foul, the Mustangs held strong into the fourth inning.
“It was a great defensive game,” junior outfielder Erica Noll said. “We had some great plays in the infield that really gave us the upper hand, and Redondo obviously couldn’t handle our pitching.”
Tension rose in the fifth inning as Herron and Eudy struggled to keep Redondo players off the plates. With all the plates loaded, Noll was able to catch a high flying ball in the outfield, saving Costa from losing their lead. On offense, Eudy ran home and scored the Mustangs a 3-1 lead.
“We had a lower point in the middle of the game that made us really nervous, but we got Redondo off the bases, and earned the two point lead in the end,” senior catcher Emily Gessner said.
The sixth inning proved difficult for Costa after they missed two outfield balls, and a point for Redondo put the score at 3-2. Unable to score on offense, Costa almost tied with Redondo in the seventh inning, but a dive catch from Ponciano saved Costa from losing their lead, and Costa won the match 3-2.
“The worst feeling is when they have a runner on the third base when it’s the seventh inning,” freshman shortstop Morgan Ingham said. “When they can tie, it gives you so much anxiety, but there’s more relief when they become the third out.”
Costa next plays Palos Verdes at home on Friday. Now ranked second in Bay League, their overall record is 8-9. According to senior catcher Sabrina Enomoto, their winning streak is boosting self confidence in their ability to win the next match.
“We’re gonna bring the energy, bring our bats, and aim for the fences,” Enomoto said. “If we just do what we’ve been doing, hunker down on focus, and get ready to play, we will win again. ”
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