Softball surprises Schurr with 4-3 comeback win

By Kevin Park & Jordan Xiao

Tiger Staff

Photos by Stephanie Kim

The softball team fought back from a three-run deficit to defeat Schurr High School 4-3 on Thursday, March 12, extending its record to 2-2.

Senior Cassie Baca held the mound in the home game, earning nine strikeouts over seven innings. Schurr threatened Baca early with bases loaded in the first, but the Tiger pitcher fought her way out of the tough jam with no earned runs. However, the Spartans hit a single at the beginning of the third and capitalized on  an error to place runners on first and second. Both runners scored on a rocket off the wall, giving Schurr a 2-0 lead.4

Defensively, the Tigers had their highs and lows with spectacular plays in the outfield but some crucial mistakes in the infield. Schurr scored in the top of the fifth with an unearned run on a sacrifice fly, increasing its lead to 3-0.

Offensively, the Tigers couldn’t execute when they needed hits the most. After five innings of offensive shutdown, in the bottom of the sixth with two outs and bases loaded, freshman Victoria Venardi sparked the Tigers’ offense with an RBI infield single to give the girls their first run.

“Honestly I didn’t even know there were two outs, so I guess I didn’t feel as pressured as I would’ve. But once I got on base it felt good to know I contributed to my team,” Venardi said.

With South Pas down 3-1, sophomore Katherine Conte came through clutch as she lined a ball down the right field line with a two-run double. The game now tied, Baca stepped up to the plate and took a pitch in the dirt which passed the Spartan catcher as Venardi came sliding in to score the winning run for the Tigers.1

“We really showed how our team can come together and dominate. Working together, communicating, and staying positive led to a competitive win,” junior Alissa Gentry said.

The Tigers will match up against Pasadena Polytechnic High School at home on Friday, March 13.