Torrance has big offensive day in win over North
TORRANCE » The Torrance softball team pounded out 18 hits Wednesday, including five from third baseman Mazee Martinez, and pitcher Jackie Sandy broke the game open with a three-run double in the fifth inning for an 11-3 victory over North in the Pioneer League.
Martinez collected five singles and scored twice for Torrance (17-61, 6-3), which had six players notch at least two hits. Alesa Gonzalez, Maddie Schepp, Samantha Laurens and Kara Caropino each produced an RBI, while Ryan DaCosta drove in two runs.
“We knew we had to get on (the starting pitcher) early and we had to pick the right pitches to hit,” Martinez said.
In the circle, Sandy allowed three runs on eight hits, struck out two batters and walked three in a complete game. She also received help throughout the contest from her defense.
North (14-8-1, 7-2) fell into a 3-0 hole in the second inning and had trouble capitalizing on its own opportunities early.
The Saxons' first three hitters reached to load the bases in their half of the second, but an infield fly, strikeout and unassisted force out at third base ended the threat without a run.
In the third, North leadoff hitter Julieta Roa tripled. Sandy then fielded a drag bunt attempt by Imani Covarrubio and threw to first for one out, while Torrance's first baseman Gabby Merced fired home to get a late-breaking Roa for a double play.
“My slapper (Covarrubio) made the decision to go small game and bunt,” Saxons coach Samantha Alvillar. “That was a learning experience. I have a runner on third, we're low in our out count. I want you going for the ball, I want you
Torrance's Jackie Sandy runs to first on her three-run double against North in their Pioneer League game Wednesday.
to hit hard.”
Torrance sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs in the fifth to chase North starting pitcher Isis Jones, who lasted 4 1/3 innings.
Torrance managed just three hits in their first meeting, a 5-0 loss to North on March 19.
Tartars coach Don Glavich credited the patience of pinch-hitter Ayane Rokugawa, who drew a walk with two outs and the bases loaded to set the stage for Sandy's basesclearing double.
Five of the six runs in the inning came with two outs.
“There was a ball that was down and in (to Rokugawa),” Glavich said. “It's a pitch that you could very easily swing over and that's the end of the rally right there. But she was very disciplined. … It put a little bit of pressure on them and Jackie came through, she got a good pitch that she could handle.”
Second baseman Emma Padilla had three singles and a stolen base to pace the Saxons. Third baseman Priscilla Iniguez drove in two of the team's three runs with a two-out double to left in the fifth.
In the circle, Jones was tagged for seven runs on nine hits. She struck out just one, walked four and hit a batter.
“It's easy to get down and focus on all the things that don't go right,” Alvillar said. “I think today was more about pitchers keeping confidence. Adversity was really difficult with pitch location and just reminding them that your job is just to hit your spots — and I'll bear that responsibility. You do your job and what happens, happens.
“Good teams, as Torrance is, you keep it close to the plate, they're gonna hit.”
WEST TORRANCE 2, EL SEGUNDO 1 » Kamaile Ho's two-run single in the third inning and Audrey Lopetegui in the circle were the keys to the Pioneer League win for the Warriors (19-4, 9-1).
Lopetegui allowed one run, seven hits, walked three and struck out nine.
Rams went 3 for 3 for El Segundo (13-9, 5-4). Sienna Mayer drove in the Eagles' run in the top of the third.