Mustangs maintain bragging rights

Steve Virgen

Now, it’s safe to call Costa Mesa High vs. Estancia a rivalry in

softball. That technically couldn’t have been said before Friday. But

Estancia, though still young, has improved from the past two years

and the Eagles appear as if they are slowly catching up to Costa

Mesa.

However, the Mustangs still own the sport in the city matchup and

used their experience to gain a slight edge over the visiting Eagles.

Costa Mesa scored three runs in the first inning -- two runs scored

on one error -- en route to a 5-2 Golden West League victory over

crosstown rival Estancia.

Costa Mesa senior Ann Marie Topps contributed an RBI single in the

first inning to get the Mustangs started.

“Honestly, I think it was David vs. Goliath,” Estancia Coach Marc

Rodig said in a modest tone.

“We didn’t slay Goliath, but I think we stunned him a little.”

Costa Mesa Coach Rick Buonarigo noticed a difference about the

Eagles, who have changed their look from last year to this season.

“Estancia really has improved,” Buonarigo said. “It’s night and

day with last year’s team and this year’s group. We managed to get

some key hits in there and that was the difference.”

Estancia freshman pitcher Muriel Mason came on in relief in the

first inning with no out, the bases loaded and the Eagles trailing,

1-0. After two runs scored on Costa Mesa sophomore Kelly Topps’

hard-hit ground ball toward second base, Mason recorded three

straight outs, including a strikeout.

Mason allowed two runs the rest of the way, and finished with five

strikeouts.

The Eagles scored two runs in the top of the third inning. Senior

Laura Morton, who reached on a base hit, scored after an infield

error. Then, Mason, who walked, scored after a controversial call at

the plate. Mesa was about to compete a 1-3-2 double play, but on the

throw from first to the catcher, the umpire ruled that the Mustangs’

catcher bobbled the ball, while Mason slid at the plate.

The Mustangs (9-4, 3-0 in league) who left 12 runners stranded,

answered with single runs in the third and fourth innings to gain the

5-2 advantage. Costa Mesa’s designated hitter Katy Renish, a senior

who singled, scored in the third after senior Jade Moss walked with

the bases loaded.

In the fourth inning, junior Michelle Miller collected a single

and junior Teresa Lau came in as a courtesy runner.

Lau, who stole second, eventually scored on Kelly Topps’ base hit,

as Lau slid under the tag at the plate.

However, the Eagles had an opportunity to score in the top of the

fifth inning.

They had the bases loaded with two outs. But, Mesa sophomore

pitcher Jackie Butler struck out the next batter to escape the

inning.

“She stepped up when she needed to,” Buonarigo said of Butler, who

earned her second pitching win of the week and improved to 7-1. “She

was sharp on occasions. All our kids stayed up and in the game even

though we booted the ball around.”

Estancia (8-4, 1-3) also had two outs at the plate, one in the

second and the other in the fourth.

“We had some base-running errors,” Rodig said.

“But I’m a firm believer in that defense wins ballgames. I thought

we played good defense.”

Mesa sophomore Paulina Rodriguez also finished with a hit for the

Mustangs, who received a spectacular play from their catcher, Miller,

in the top of the seventh. Miller gunned down an Estancia runner who

was off the bag at first base after a called ball, helping Mesa end

the game on a high note.

*--*

Golden West League

Mesa 5, Estancia 2

Score by Innings

Estancia 002 000 0 -- 2 4 1

Mesa 301 100 x -- 5 6 3

Flores, Mason (1) and Acosta; Butler and

Miller. W -- Butler, 7-1. L -- Flores, 3-2.

2B -- Ockey (E)

*--*