Softball: Gallardo gladly accepts limelight in the circle

Richard Dunn

COSTA MESA - Young, spirited and talented, Costa Mesa High softball

coach Rick Buonarigo realizes his team has a bright future.

“We’re set for awhile,” said Buonarigo, referring to a squad with six

sophomores, the same one that beat crosstown rival Estancia, 11-0, in a

Pacific Coast League mercy-rule decision Thursday at TeWinkle Park to

stay in the league title hunt.

One of those sophomores, Ale Gallardo, was extra inspired with

Buonarigo giving her the nod to pitch, only her second start of the

season.

“She has wanted to pitch, and she was real excited about pitching,”

Buonarigo said. “She stayed an hour after practice (Wednesday) just

throwing. She’s been working real hard on her pitching.”

Apparently.

With junior left-hander and nine-game winner Tess Lindsay getting a

rest, Buonarigo came through on a promise to Gallardo, in which a victory

Tuesday over Corona del Mar would open the path to the circle in the

middle of the infield.

Even after tossing the Mustangs’ first shutout of the season -- a

six-hitter with no walks, one strikeout and 11 ground-ball outs --

Buonarigo couldn’t really promise Gallardo any more starts.

“We want to keep her fresh, if we need (her to pitch),” Buonarigo

said. “It’s nice to know she’s ready to go.”

Gallardo, the team’s center fielder, started just one other game in

the circle this year, a no-decision against Rialto in the Rialto

Tournament in March, which finished in a tie.

Costa Mesa (10-7-1, 5-1 in league), which faces PCL-leading Northwood

Thursday, ended the game against Estancia with two runs (the Mustangs

needed only one) in the bottom of the sixth inning, when senior Ola

Wallace drove in the game-winning run on a fielder’s choice, scoring Jade

Moss.

Jennifer Jordan, who pinch-hit in the sixth for sophomore Katy Renish,

scored from second on the play, after the infield throw to Estancia

catcher Gaby Acostas went to the backstop.

Wallace was 2 for 4 with four RBIs and two runs scored for Costa Mesa,

including a two-run home run to cap a three-run third inning. It was

Wallace’s second home run of the year.

Wallace’s line drive to right-center field also scored Ann Marie

Topps, who brought home Moss on a single. Moss reached first on a bunt

single.

The Mustangs scored twice more in the fourth inning on three singles

and an RBI double by Kari Snyder, who roped a fly ball over the left

fielder’s head.

Mesa broke it open with three runs in the fifth on consecutive singles

by Topps, Wallace, freshman Cassie John, senior Sarah Watkins and senior

Cara Molter. Watkins and Molter had RBIs.

Estancia (0-17, 0-6) was spearheaded by second baseman Stef Cachola.

“She knows we’re down, but she still steps to the front, like when she

got taken out by a runner (in the fourth inning at second base),”

Estancia Coach Adam Thunell said. “She leaves everything on the field.

She plays her heart out. She’s stopping balls coming 100 mph at her.”

Costa Mesa, which also defeated Estancia in the first round of league,

13-1, will play University Tuesday at TeWinkle Park. The Eagles host

Laguna Beach.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Costa Mesa 11, Estancia 0

Estancia 000 000 - 0 6 2

Costa Mesa 013 232 - 11 15 2

Limon and Acostas; Gallardo and Watkins. W - Gallardo, 1-0. L - Limon.

2B - Snyder (CM). HR - Wallace (CM).