Mustangs Claim Share of Bay League Title Thanks to von Behren’s 7 RBIs

The girls from Mira Costa took the bus from Manhattan Beach up the hill to Palos Verdes knowing they had a chance to achieve something special – win at least a share of the Bay League for the first time in more than a decade.

Despite being shut out two weeks ago by PV's senior pitcher Alex Whittemore at home, the potent Mira Costa (21-6, 8-2) offense was determined to get to Whittemore early.

“We just wanted to focus on getting on top of the ball, we felt we could hit her,” said Megan von Behren.

Hit they did, picking up singles by Taylor Glover and Katie Saunders to start the game, and a Chloe Krasnoff walk loaded the bases. 

With their number five hitter at the plate, von Behren singled to the outfield, bringing in two runs in a three-run opening frame.

“I think we learned that we had to watch the pitches and wait for ours," said Saunders. "The last time we were anxious and didn’t work the count. This time our patience paid off.”

PV (14-15, 5-5) would tie the score up at 3-3 in the second inning, when Andrea del Conte ripped a triple down the right field line to bring in two of her Sea King teammates.

The tie would be short lived, however, as von Behren again stepped to the plate in the third with two runners aboard. The junior shortstop launched a Whittemore (8-12) offering over the left field fence for a three-run homer to put the Mustangs up 6-3.

The always-dangerous Saunders would fly the fence in the fourth with a solo-shot to straightaway centerfield and her fourth homerun of the season.

Mustangs ace Breanna Kelly (15-4) cruised through the third and fourth innings before being taken deep in the fifth by PV senior Haley Schenasi, who crushed Kelly’s offering over the centerfield fence to pull the Sea Kings to within two runs at 7-5.

Whittemore would collect an infield single, but von Behren proved that on a day where her bat did plenty of talking, her glove was up to the task as well.

MacKenzie Tilles sharply hit a ball on the ground to short where von Behren vacuumed it up, nimbly touched second and got Tilles out at first for the inning-ending double play.

“My second basemen Kamyle [Glover] told me to take it myself, so I just got my foot down and was able to get the play,” von Behren said.

For good measure, in the seventh von Behren collected her third hit of the day, this time driving in two more runs for a most memorable seven RBI performance.

“This was definitely my best day at the plate," said von Behren. "I have been popping up a lot lately and this felt great to get on top of a few” 

The Mustangs' 9-5 win garnered them a share of the Bay League title with Peninsula.

“This is the first time in 11 years [Bay League championship] and if there was any team that could do it, it was this group," said Saunders. "It feels great.” 

Kelly went the distance, and tied her season high with six strikeouts in her 15th win of the season.

“Our heads were in the game this time and our bats were on like they usually are," said Kelly. "It’s exciting and a good way to send our seniors off.” 

An experienced Mustangs group will wait to learn of their draw for the first round of CIF playoffs. With a number of returners from last year’s playoff team, senior captain Amanda Padilla was not surprised by her team's accomplishment:

“It feels good to know that we started as freshman and have built our way up to be the team we knew we could be," said Padilla. "We had this goal from the start.”