Schools
MCHS Softball Slugs Out Win; Advances to Quarterfinals
In a high-scoring game, the Mustangs pull out a victory over a feisty Atascadero team and head to Chino Hills to take on the No. 1 seed Thursday in a CIF Southern Section Division III playoff contest.
The Mira Costa softball team put its offensive prowess on display Tuesday afternoon in a 10-8 CIF playoff win against Atascadero High.
In a see-saw battle before a large, supportive crowd that saw five lead changes, the Mustangs exploded for four runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to take the lead and then hung on for an impressive win over the Atascadero Bulldogs (25-4) to advance to the Elite Eight in the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs.
They will play Chino Hills High, the No. 1 seed in CIF Division III, Thursday afternoon at Chino Hills.
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Speedster Taylor Glover led the Mustang offense with four hits, including a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first inning and two doubles.
Nikki Gialketsis, the hero of the Mustang’s last playoff victory, continued her torrid hitting with a two-for-three performance and four RBIs, while senior catcher Katie Saunders came through once again going two-for-three, with a double and scored two runs.
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Shortstop Meghan von Behren was one-for-three on the day, with an RBI double and a walk, and Montana Hunter contributed a key RBI double in Costa’s four-run 5th inning to help propel the Mustangs to victory.
Senior starting pitcher Breanna (“Magic”) Kelly (19-3 on the season) struck out the sides in the top of the first and pitched four innings. The Mustangs fell behind while she was on the mound due to some early fielding miscues combined with timely hitting by the Bulldogs.
Relief pitcher Kasey Hutton (the team’s freshman second baseman) took over pitching duties in the top of the fifth inning, and earned the win.
Hutton held the relentless Bulldog’s scoreless in the 6th and 7th innings to secure her fifth win of the season.
Hutton received strong support from the Mustang defense in the late innings, including two superb web gems by von Behren to help nail down the victory.
The Mira Costa team is now 24-7 for the season.
Thanks to Bill von Behren for contributing this article. His daughter Meghan plays on the team.
