The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Ayala holds off Bonita to remain unbeaten in Palomares
Ayala junior softball pitcher Allie Lukaszewicsz was outstanding in the circle for the Bulldogs on Monday, but she needed the help of her defense.
With runners on first and third and one out in the seventh inning, Ayala first baseman Taelor Walker caught Leah Reynolds’ line drive and tagged first base for a gameending double play that secured a 2-1 Bulldogs’ win over Bonita in a Palomares League game.
“That was crazy,” Lukaszewicsz said. “I thought both teams played exceptionally,” Ayala coach John Ameluxen said. “I told my kids I just appreciated being a part of it.”
The victory all but clinched the league title for Ayala (17-3 overall, 11-0 in league) over Bonita (18-6, 8-3). Each team has four league games remaining. The teams face each other for the final time Friday at Bonita’s home field at Las Flores Park, but the Bulldogs have won the first two meetings.
“These kids are dreaming of an undefeated league season,” Ameluxen said. “Last year, we lost the last game of the year to Glendora, and we were 14-1 in league. That has irked them.”
“This was like a playoff game for us,” Bonita coach Darren Baumunk said. “They’re in our (CIF Southern Section) division. They’re going to be a top-four, top-five team. I think if we can play (in the playoffs) like we did in this game, which could have gone either way, then we’re right there with the top of our division.”
The Pittsburgh-committed Lukaszewicsz allowed five hits, walked one and struck out one. In addition to the game-ender, the Bulldogs also turned double plays to finish the Bearcats in the second and fourth innings.
“I think the defense in this game really helped me out,” Lukaszewicsz said. “I can only do so much for the team but having that defense to back me up is really helpful.”
Ayala got on the scoreboard first, scoring both of its runs in the third inning. Jasmine Peralez led off with a single, Ryanna Alano reached on a bunt single, and Walker walked
to load the bases with no outs.
Bonita pitcher Kaitlyn Maaske nearly wriggled out of the jam by striking out Mckenzy Becerra and getting Marisa Dominguez to ground into a fielder’s choice that forced Peralez out at home.
But Lilana Acosta followed with a tworun single to center that gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.
“She’s a sophomore and just squared the ball up the middle,” Ameluxen said. “That’s what she does.”
“I told the team, and I told Kaitlyn, that was on me,” Baumunk said. “I was thinking
about throwing another pitch, but I changed my mind. I think it would’ve been a different outcome. But you have to give her credit for that base hit.”
Bonita answered in the next half inning when Skyy Hicks hit a one-out single and Koa Kuppe doubled to left to send Hicks to third. Ryan Torres followed with a hard grounder just to Lukaszewicsz’s right. She deflected it but couldn’t make a play and Bonita’s first run scored. But with the tying and go-ahead runs on base, a grounder to second turned into the second inning-ending double play for Ayala.