Softball: Eagles shock Mesa

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - All the small things helped Estancia turn a 2-1

deficit into a shocking 5-2 upset over cross-town rival Costa Mesa in

Pacific Coasat League softball Thursday. The Eagles put up four runs so

quickly it left the Mustangs reeling during and after the game.

“We had so many little things go against us,” Mesa Coach Sharon Uhl said.

Mesa (8-10, 4-2 in league) was trying to stay right behind league-leading

Northwood before next Thursday’s anticipated showdown. But a millimeter

and a small hesitation proved disastrous for the Mustangs in the sixth

inning.

After a one-out triple by Alisha Tanielu, Deborah Wyman hit a comebacker

right to Mesa’s pitcher. But she focused on Tanielu at third, and there

was no throw to first.

A walk to Sarah Chaisson loaded the bases for Estancia (3-10, 1-5). With

no room for error, Shanley had a big strikeout for the second out.

The next batter, Jenea Gudvagen, hit an infield chopper. The second

baseman reached out and appeared to tag Chaisson running right in front

of her, but the umpire ruled no tag. She then threw to first, but

Gudvagen was safe. Tanielu scored on that play to give Estancia a 3-2

lead.

“That play,” Uhl said, “started a domino effect.”

Rebecca Zenus singled to drive in another run. Lauren Cassity then

reached on an error that scored the Eagles’ third run of the inning. When

Mesa finally got out of the jam, the Eagles had the 5-2 lead.

Before the fifth inning, Mesa pitcher Brooke Shanley had a no-hitter

going. She gave up one unearned run in the first, when Cassity scored

after reaching on a two-base error.

Mesa responded with a run the second. Erica Melcer, who had a leadoff

single, scored on a groundout by Kelly Daub. It could have had another

run, but the inning-ending out came when a Mesa runner tried to score on

a wild pitch, but failed.

The Mustangs took the lead in the fourth when Jamie Klimkiewicz, who

reached on a bunt single, was advanced by a bunt single from Daub and

driven in by a single from Lacey Ferris.

But Estancia tied the game in the fifth with another unearned run. Laura

Morton hit a one-out double and moved to third after a single from

Gudvagen. Morton then scored on an outfield error. And that set up

Estancia’s big seventh inning.

“All our seniors figured that if they were going to win one game all

year, this was going to be it,” Estancia Coach Jenny Hart said. “They

were really fired up before the game.”

The Mustangs are still alone in second place, but the loss left a bitter

taste in Mesa’s mouth heading into a crucial week with games against

third-place University and the PCL’s undefeated leader, Northwood.

“We have to compose ourselves and get ready to play for next week,” Uhl

said. “We have two very important games left.”

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Estancia 5, Costa Mesa 2

Costa Mesa 010 010 0 - 2 7 5 Estancia 100 013 x - 5 4 2

Shanley and Klimkiewicz; Wyman and Acosta. W - Wyman, 3-10. L - Shanley, 6-6. 2B - Morton (E). 3B - Tanielu (E).