She’s just a freshman, but Carpinteria’s Catalina Maldonado displayed the composure and confidence of a seasoned veteran in Tuesday’s CIF Division-VI second-round softball playoff game against Marshall at home.
After giving up a lead-off triple in the fourth inning of 1-1 game, Maldonado collected herself and proceeded to strike out the next three batters.
Her brilliant effort provided the spark that led to a 13-1 rout over the startled Eagles.
The Warriors scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth and then blew the game open with eight runs in the fifth inning to advance to Thursday’s quarterfinals. They’ll travel to No. 2 seed LaSalle in Pasadena
“For a freshman, she’s incredible for the fact she’s got a tough mindset,” Carpinteria coach Henry Gonzales said about Maldonado, who struck out 12 and allowed just five hits. “When (opponents) get runners in scoring position with no outs or one out, that’s when she’s really the strongest. She’s been like that all year. That shows the competitiveness and the spirit that she has and the belief that, ‘I’m going to get you out.’ You love that in a pitcher, especially a freshman pitcher.”
For Maldonado, the dangerous situation was all about keeping her focus.
“I was just focusing on the next batter,” she said. “You have to pay attention to the girl on third, but you also have to focus on getting the next out.”
Maldonado and Warriors got off to shaky start as Marshall (14-11-1) scored a run in the first inning. With two out, Amy Zeronian hit a bloop double to left and Erika James followed with a RBI single to center.
“We were a little nervous at the beginning, but we shook off the nerves and started playing good ball,” Gonzales said. “And we started hitting the ball.”
Carpinteria (15-8) tied the score in the third. Dakotah Wilcox, who had a big day at the plate with three hits, including a solo home run, doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Carmen Campi.
The Warriors took the lead in the fourth. Roxy Hugo singled to right scored the go-ahead run on a sizzling line-drive double down the third base line by Maldonado.
“I was getting tired of not hitting,” said Maldonado. “I really wanted to start batting again.”
Ciera Kephart bunted Maldonado to third and Maldonado scored on an error by the Marshall shortstop on a ball hit by Erin Saito.
Saito kept the pressure on the Eagles by stealing second. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on single to left by Tatiana Verdugo to give them a 4-1 advantage.
Wilcox said Verdugo was instrumental in firing up the team to have a big day at the plate — the Warriors had 12 hits.
“She always gives us a pep talk before the game and it really helped us,” Wilcox said. “She said stay focused on our hitting and that’s what we did today.”
Myriah Diaz had a hot bat, collecting a triple, double and a single.
The Warriors put the game away in the fifth inning. The sent 14 players to the plate, pounded out six hits, scored eight runs and chased Marshall starting pitcher Cierra Newton. They also benefited from misplays by the Eagles catcher, who twice failed to step on the plate on two force plays at home.
Kephart had a two-run single to left-center, Verdugo stroked a run-scoring single to right field and Campi had a RBI hit and scored twice in the inning.
Wilcox capped the day’s offensive fireworks with a booming home run to right field in the sixth inning.
“Our girls, they’re believing right now,” said Gonzales. “They’re definitely believing they can compete with anyone when we play good ball. We definitely did that today. We had good focus, and we get to go to the third round now.”
Marshall…100 000 0 — 1 4 3
Carpinteria…001 381 x — 13 12 1
Newton, James (5) and Sustaita; Maldonado and Diaz. W—Maldonado. L—Newton. Records—C 15-8, M 14-11-1.
2B—M: Zeronian. C: Wilcox, Maldonado, Diaz,
3B—M: James. C: Diaz
HR—C: Wilcox, 6th inn. none on.
