The Hornets’ softball team were looking to win their third straight game after winning two over the weekend. They ran into trouble to start off the game, as starting pitcher Grace Workman gave up four runs right out of the gate. The top of the first inning started with a base hit. That was followed by an infield bunt single down the third base line to put two runners on base. Workman got the next two batters out with a fly out to right and a pop-up to second.
With two runners in scoring position and two outs, El Camino’s starting pitcher Ramirez drove in two runs with an RBI single to right. After a base hit to right field, Emily Gamboa smashed a ball into the gap in left-center to drive in two more runs to make it 4-0.
“The turning point was early on in the game. First inning we got into a hole obviously and they got four runs on us,” said Head Coach Crystal Aguirre. “And they didn’t score again all the way until the sixth, when we made a pitching change. Which is what I was happy about and our defense was solid on the plays that we made.”
Ramirez kept the Fullerton offense at bay while working out of her own jams. In the bottom of the second inning, Fullerton started the rally by walking Linsey Arostigue, then a bunt single which landed between first and second put two runners on. After a strikeout, Juliana Ursino singled to left, loading the bases with one out. The Hornet’s dugout was getting into it with their cheers such as “oh Mickey, you’re so fine…” or the ole chant.
This was when a timeout was called by El Camino Head Coach Jessica Rapoza to settle down their pitcher. Aguirre brought her team over to strategize what they wanted to do during the at-bat. Milene Mendoza came up to the plate and tried to bunt in a run with a safety squeeze. Ramirez was able to field her own position and tagged Arostigue out at the plate. That was followed by a groundout to first base to end the inning.
“For our hitters that was a really good pitcher that we had seen today. I think she was throwing about 60 mph. We had some good approaches to the plate,” said Aguirre.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Ramirez walked the leadoff hitter Bethany Morrison. Then the first pitch to the next batter went to the backstop advancing Morrison to second. On a 2-2 count, Morrison advanced to third on another wild pitch that was high from Ramirez. The bench from Fullerton was fired up as they were banging the bench with the softballs.
The umpire gave them a warning for excessive noise as they banged on the bench with their hands while chanting.
With nobody out, the Hornets could not cash in. Ramirez was able to get out of another jam unscathed with two strikeouts and a groundout to second.
“We were told that (Ramirez) threw hard and she was an inside-outside pitcher, and I think that was pretty accurate. I think we executed when it came up to it. I think we could have done a better job,” said Morrison.
After Fullerton gave up four runs in the first inning, Aguirre made a pitching change and went to Aiden Carlson. Carlson was phenomenal in her performance, throwing six innings of one-run ball. She was able to work out of multiple situations with runners on base.
In the top of the fourth inning, after getting two groundouts to third base, she gave up back-to-back singles to left and right field respectively. Both runners advanced to second and third on a throwing error.
Aguirre would call out different numbers which had different sequences for each pitch. The players would repeat it on the field while checking their wristbands to know what the pitch or play was. Carlson was able to execute by getting a groundout to third after the coach called out three-zero-five which was a pitch on the outside corner.
“I had my ups and downs with my change-ups. Which is my favorite pitch, but also my curves were working and got some of the girls a lot. So definitely my change and my curve,” said Carlson. “I’ve been working on my mentality going into games and when I’m given the opportunity to make sure that I am excelling not only for myself, but to make my team proud.”
Carlson worked out of another jam in the top of the fifth inning. After recording the first two outs with a groundout to third and shortstop, it looked like she was going to have a 1-2-3 inning. But a throwing error by the third baseman that oversailed first baseman Veronica Moore led to the runner advancing to second. The runner advanced to third on a pass ball, before being left stranded on a pop-up to third.
“Aiden did a fantastic job when we brought her in. She actually shut them down. I think they only had one run off of Aiden. Commanding the strike zone. She was throwing them off with her off speed a lot today. I’m super proud of her,” said Aguirre.
In the top of the seventh inning, Carlson got into trouble. After a ground out to second, she gave up a double to center field. On the next pitch, the runner stole third base. At first glance, Fullerton seemed to tag the runner out, but the third baseman was unable to maintain the ball in her glove while making the tag. That was followed by a walk to make it runners on the corners with one out.
Fullerton tried to catch El Camino off guard by throwing the ball to the second baseman after the first pitch to cut the runner down at home. It was unsuccessful, as the runner was able to slide underneath the tag giving the Warriors a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Ramirez finished off the game leaving another runner in scoring position. She struck out the first batter of the inning, then walked Ursino. Then a groundout to first advanced Ursino to second. She moved up to third on a wild pitch, but Ramirez was able to get a groundout to third and leave Ursino stranded at third.
“The team had a great practice yesterday. We’re just trying not to press right now. When you start losing some ball games, sometimes you start pressing and trying to make something happen, instead of letting your talent take over,” said Aguirre. “We’ve been working on our mental approach.”
