Noah Jamani
Staff Writer
Cheering and chanting from the stands. Tension and nerves building up. The Mira Costa Mustangs softball team defeated Morningside 3-1 Monday at home in their last game.
The Mustangs kept Morningside off the board in the early innings, using skillful passing between the bases to keep the opponents from getting any scoring chances. However, as the game went on Morningside found their rhythm and kept hitting and scored a run. The Mustangs couldn’t score early in the game.
“I thought our team struggled to hit today, especially in the early innings,” junior batter Serena Ponciano said. “If we scored in the early innings this game would have a complete different outcome.”
In the second inning, senior pitcher Elliott Estes escaped a bases loaded jam by striking out two Morningside batters in a row. After two innings, the Mustangs failed to get on base.
Photos: Mira Costa versus Morningside
“The game was really close in the first two inning and our pitcher Elliot Estes did a terrific job helping us stay in the game,” Hoffman said.
Junior shortstop Morgan Ingham kept Morningside from getting on base with quick passes and tags to get runners out. Offensively, the Mustangs still struggled to get any runs.
“It was a great defensive game in the early stages,” Ponciano said. “Our pitching and fielding was great.”
In the sixth inning, Costa’s offense erupted and scored 3 runs. In the top of the seventh, Ponciano caught a fly ball with the bases loaded to end the inning.
“We chased plenty of pitches today,” Ponciano said. “We have to control the at-bat and walk if we have to.”
The final inning was another defensive showcase from both teams. Both pitchers played well and had counts that favored them, which ended the inning and the game.
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“Ingham and our whole offense came alive late,” Hoffman said. “Fortunately all of our hits and runs came in a win.”
Costa finished their season with a 23-8 record.. According to Ponciano, Costa will be a great contending team for years to come.
“I believe our team will always be a contending and with some new players next year we will be a great team,” Ponciano said.
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