Mustangs edge Santa Ana

A bit of luck along with some opportune pitching provided the Costa

Mesa High softball team with a 2-1 Golden West League victory over

visiting Santa Ana Friday.

Sophomore Uyen Mai was credited with what proved to be the

game-winning RBI on her fly ball to center field in the bottom of the

sixth inning. With two out, the score tied, 1-1, and senior Jennifer

Jordan on third base, Mai popped the ball to center. There was

confusion over who would catch it and the ball fell, Costa Mesa Coach

Rick Buonarigo said. Jordan, who singled to reach and stole two bases

to get to third, scored on the play.

“Anytime you win a one-run game when both teams are playing so

well is just great,” Buonarigo said. “Anytime we can win a game like

that, I’ll take it.”

Sophomore Jackie Butler improved her pitching record to 9-2 after

she delivered a three-hitter that included three strikeouts for the

Mustangs (10-5, 4-1 in league)

“I think she threw fairly well,” Buonarigo said of Butler. “She

got some big pitches when we needed her to, and that’s all we can ask

of her.”

The Saints (1-4 in league) went up 1-0 in the first inning after

pitcher Mallory Marquez collected an RBI double. The Mustangs

answered in the third inning, when Mesa left the inning with the

bases loaded but was still able to score one run.

Senior Alejandra Gallardo led off the inning with a bunt single.

Later, sophomore Kelly Topps contributed a one-out RBI single that

brought in Gallardo to knot the score.

*--*

Golden West League

Costa Mesa 2, Santa Ana 1

Score by Innings

Santa Ana 100 000 0 -- 1 3 2

Mesa 001 001 x -- 2 5 1

Marquez and Delgadillo; Butler and Miller.

W -- Butler, 9-2. L -- Marquez. 2B --

Marquez (SA)

*--*