High School Softball: CdM gets on track against Costa Mesa
Corona del Mar High sophomore softball player Raine Finley cannot describe her performance on offense Friday afternoon.
Finley had three hits coming into the nonleague game against Costa Mesa at Bonita Creek Park. She nearly doubled that output in a single game.
The Sea Kings will surely take the hits from someone not named Brooke Franson or Sydney McKeown.
Finley went two for five with a run batted in and two runs scored as the Sea Kings hung on to beat the Mustangs, 10-6.
“I don’t even believe myself,” said a smiling Finley, who is the daughter of former Major Leaguer Baseball pitcher Chuck Finley.
She came into Friday’s game with a .111 batting average but registered her first multi-hit game.
“I think I did really good [today],” she said. “When I hit them, I was really happy and really shocked. I hope I do it again. I usually just get hit [by the pitch], so when the ball actually hit the bat and went somewhere, that made me feel good and confident.”
CdM (5-9) came into the game losers of six straight, including a 22-0 loss at Ocean View on Thursday. But the Sea Kings, who have the sophomore Franson (.647) and the senior McKeown (.643) leading the way on offense, did in fact get more contributions across the board against Costa Mesa (3-7).
The Sea Kings put together a six-run top of the first inning, despite collecting just one hit on McKeown’s leadoff infield single. Four CdM players were hit by a pitch in the inning, and two walked. CdM sent 12 players to the plate and had a big advantage even before McKeown took the circle as pitcher.
“I was already super-confident about this game, but having that little cushion of runs made me even that much more confident,” McKeown said.
Mesa senior pitcher Ariana Morales, to her credit, settled down after the rocky start. After the first, the Mustangs actually outscored the Sea Kings.
“Once everybody encourages her and she knows that she can do well, then she pulls through every time,” said Mesa junior right fielder Haylee Jack, who was one for three with a run scored.
Still, CdM was able to build a 10-3 lead after six innings. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Oberreiter was two for five with a pair of runs scored, and Franson was one for four with a stolen base and also scored twice.
Senior second baseman Jordan Calvin reached base three times and scored a run, and also had a stellar defensive game with several putouts. CdM started four freshman as well, and Maddie Tumbarello, Sophie Habibion, Jimi Tyszka and Hara Chun all either had a hit or scored a run.
CdM Coach Carly Smith was happy with her team’s defense, as the Sea Kings went into the seventh without committing an error.
“We were more focused, and our defense was there until the last inning,” Smith said. “We were mentally strong, I feel, this game. Definitely, to be shut out and then put up 10 runs the next game, it’s a great credit to our offense.”
Costa Mesa tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, freshman Haley Sheffner reached on an error. An out later, Sheffner scored on another infield error, as neither the CdM third baseman or shortstop was able to field a slow-rolling grounder between the two players.
Morales then helped her own cause, as her single to right scored Brenna Alvis and Paige Fisher. But McKeown recovered, inducing a groundout to shortstop to end the game.
Sophomore Kintak Keju had an RBI triple for Mesa, while Alvis and Kanani Asuega each had RBI doubles. Alvis’ hit was impressive, as she fouled off four pitches in the bottom of the third before doubling to left to score Jack.
There is optimism for Coach Heather Orduna’s Mustangs, who have already matched its win total from all of last season. Mesa plays at Oxford Academy on Tuesday before opening Orange Coast League play at home against Laguna Beach on April 14.
Costa Mesa has not advanced to the CIF playoffs since 2010-11.
“Even though we haven’t had as many wins as we have had losses, we’re a pretty strong team,” said Jack, adding that there is good team chemistry. “I think we might have a slight possibility of making CIF, so we’re pretty excited about that.”
CdM, which opens Pacific Coast League play at Irvine on April 14, has an even longer postseason drought. The Sea Kings have not made the playoffs since the Michelle Tolfa-led team of 2006-07.
A definite goal for the Sea Kings this year is winning a league game, as they come into the season with a 60-game league losing streak.
“We’ve been looking at the other teams in our league’s records, making our targets,” McKeown said.
The top “targets” appear to be University (5-6) and Beckman (0-14). CdM plays host to University on April 21 and plays at Beckman on April 23.
“I think practice-wise, we’re good to go,” Franson said. “That helps us be more confident, to believe.”
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Nonleague
Corona del Mar 10, Costa Mesa 6
SCORE BY INNINGS
Corona del Mar600 220 0 — 10 9 2
Costa Mesa001 101 3 — 6 9 4
McKeown and Tumbarello; Morales and Farldow. W – McKeown. L – Morales. 2B – Alvis (CM), Asuega (CM). 3B – Keju (CM).
