La Habra players (from left) Mireya Gonzalez, Madison Payne, Milee Valencia, Andrea Langenberg, Eliana Corona and Rylee Guener recorded 17 of the 21 outs for the Highlanders. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).
Senior Madison Payne pitched a complete game to lead visiting La Habra to a 2-1 Crestview League softball victory over Pacifica Thursday afternoon.
Payne, a Holy Cross Commit, became the first Highlanders pitcher to throw a complete game this season. Payne had excellent control as the right-hander struck out two and did not walk a batter. Payne (7-3) allowed six hits, four of them being infield singles, and only allowed four balls to reach the outfield.
“I felt comfortable out there and my drop curve, inside drop, and curveball were working well for me,” said Payne. “This was an important win for us and all us us have been working so hard.”
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La Habra’s infielders had a spectacular defensive game, recording 17 of the 21 outs.
“Today, we didn’t have any bobbles, we made strong throws, and our infielders performance were solid,” said Highlanders Coach Vince Peralta.
“Today was the first complete game we pitched all season. Samantha Cervantes (University of Jamestown-commit) and Madison have complimented each other very well season this season. It got close after their home run in the seventh inning, but we had faith in Madison and she finished it out.”
La Habra (16-5, 4-3) got on the scoreboard in the first inning. Makenna Caffrey doubled to left and scored on Mireya Gonzalez’s two-out double to left.
On the play, Gonzalez’s hit was ruled a ground rule double when the ball bounced over the left center field fence, preventing pinch runner Ginger Rickenbacker from scoring. Caffrey, a sophomore, entered Thursday’s game with a .442 average, continued her hitting prowess with two hits.
“We had really good teammwork today,” said Gonzalez, who had two hits in the game and was outstanding at third base. “It’s not one person on this team, it’s everybody working together. We had good energy and the dugout was very supportive and loud.”
The Highlanders added a second run in the second inning to increase its lead to 2-0 lead. Milee Valencia singled with one out and stole second. She then scored on Andrea Langenberg’s single. Valencia, a University of Redlands commit, also had two hits in the game for the Highlanders.
Payne was cruising along and was poised with confidence on the mound. She gave up one-out singles in the fifth and sixth innings but La Habra’s infielders were flawless and spoiled any Mariners’ attempt to rally.
Freshman Jenna Vallardes made it interesting as she led off the bottom of the seventh with her second home run of the season for Pacifica (12-8, 2-3) cutting the ;lead to 2-1.
Payne retired the next two hotels before surrendering a two-out single to Sanaiyah Cleland However, Payne retired Abby Amezquita to ground out to end the game and secure the win for the Highlanders.
“Even after they got the home run in the seventh inning, we got together at the mound and said ‘we got this,’” said Valencia. “We need to keep our heads up and continue to bring the energy.”
Peralta said it was a crtical win for his team.
“It’s huge win for us,” said Peralta. “After losing twice to Cypress last week, we rebounded and now have won two consecutive league games and we want to make it three in a row next Tuesday against Canyon at home. We need to concentrate on more level hitting. I think today we had too many fly outs, but today was a big league win for us.”
Pacifica Coach Andy Arduino said his team will rebound.
“This is a tough league; I think it’s the toughest league in the county,” said Arduino, who is in his seventh season as head coach of Pacifica. “We hit the ball hard today but La Habra made the plays. They played great defense. Our freshman pitcher, Rachel Pineda threw a good game. We have a very young team and we’re going to be okay.”
Arizona-commit Mattea Stern, batting .441 entering Thursday’s game, had two hits and stolen base for the Mariners.
Notes:
—The game was filled with outstanding defense. Mariners left fielder Jenna Vallardes made a fine catch for the final out in the fourth inning, preventing two runs from scoring.
Pacifica right fielder Abby Amezquita also made an outstanding catch for the final out in the sixth inning with the bases loaded to keep the Mariners within striking distance. Amezquita also made a perfect throw (after making a catch) from right field to cut down a La Habra runner at home to end the second inning.
—Highlanders infielders Tyler Gruener (first baseman), Milee Valencia (second baseman), Andrea Langenberg (shortstop), Mireya Gonzalez (third baseman), Eliana Corona (catcher), and Madison Paynes (pitcher) were outstanding defensively recording 17 of 21 outs, including an impressive 4-6-3 double play to end the Pacifica’s first inning.
—-Pacifica was the CIF softball champion in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2014, 2024 and 2024.
—-Tuesday was the third meeting of the season between the two teams. The Mariners defeated La Habra in a tournament in Bullhead City in early March and the Highlanders returned the favor three weeks later, defeating Pacifica 9-4 in a league game. The team will meet one more time in the regular season on April 28 at La Habra.
—-The battle for the league’s top spot remains competitive. Cypress lost El Modena on Thursday and fell to 4-2 in league play. El Modena is 3-2, La Habra is 4-3, Pacifica is 2-3 and Canyon is 1-4 Crestview League play. “This league is so competitive I’m predicting a 8-4 record will win the league this season,” said Arduino.
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