Mira Costa Rallies Late, Only to Lose Later

Down three runs going into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Mira Costa High Mustangs rallied to tie the score, only to give the runs right back in a 6-3 loss  Tuesday to Redlands in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.

Rachel Lee singled for Mira Costa, starting its sixth-inning rally. Freshman Nikki Gialketsis moved Lee over with a ground ball, and she was able to advance to third on a single to center by Amanda Gard. Meghan Vonbehren reached on a fielder's choice--the Terriers decided to hold Lee at third--loading the bases. Kamyle Glover then popped up a bunt attempt, but her younger sister, Taylor, stepped to the plate and ripped a base-clearing triple to center field to tie the score.

"I just didn't want to get that third out and focused on making contact," Taylor Glover said.

Despite the rally, Mira Costa could not contain Redlands, the Citrus Belt League champion, in the seventh.

"That was as nerve-racking a game as any we've played," pitcher Breanna Kelly said. "I was happy about how we came back, we just fell a bit short."

With one out, Marlee Retig singled for Redlands. Chelsea Rosario followed with a single of her own, but the Mustangs' Amanda Padilla was able to get Jessica Garcia to fly out to left field for the second out. Michelle Solomon then hit a laser off the leg of Gard at shortstop, loading the bases.

Gard, a senior leader, would have to come out of the game injured.

Sophomore Amanda Weis stepped to the plate and on the first pitch lifted a Padilla offering into the outfield. The ball took a giant bounce over the head of a hard-charging Vonbehren and all three Terriers runners would score.

"We had a few chances that we didn't take advantage of, but they played great and we took them to the edge," catcher Katie Saunders said. "Overall, we had a pretty good season. We ended up going a lot further than anyone thought we would."

The Mustangs had a chance in the bottom of the inning against Redlands starter Narissa Garcia, who struck out 13 while allowing only six hits.

But facing the top of the Mira Costa lineup, Garcia promptly struck out Saunders, allowed a single to Chloe Krasnoff and then struck out Lee and Nikki Gialketsis.

"We played as well as possible," coach Richard Amberik said. "The girls went further than expected, and I'm very proud of them. This is a very young team, and they will grow up a lot going into next season."