Mustangs find their swing

Estancia High pitcher Evelyn Flores carried a no-hitter through three

innings until visiting Costa Mesa finally found its stroke in the

fourth and fifth innings to post a 13-2 come-from-behind Golden West

League softball victory Wednesday.

“[Flores] pitched three very good innings,” Costa Mesa Coach Rick

Buonarigo said of Flores’ performance.

Mesa (15-9, 7-2 in league) scored eight runs in the fourth inning

and five in the fifth, chasing Flores, after the Eagles scored two

runs in the bottom of the first.

The Mustangs managed five hits and five walks in the fourth as

they sent 13 batters to the plate. Four of the five hitters who

walked came around to score.

“We helped [Mesa] with a lot of errors [5] and 14 walks,” Estancia

Coach Marc Rodig said.

Estancia sophomore Hillary Larsen sent a single up the middle to

plate leadoff hitter Rebecca Kaplan and Flores in the first inning.

Kaplan led off with a walk and Flores was hit by a pitch for the

Eagles (10-9, 2-8).

Mesa second baseman Jane-E Yamamoto went 2 for 4 with a double,

three RBIs and two runs scored. Her double in the fifth scored two

and her single in the fourth gave Mesa its sixth run.

First baseman Kelly Topps also scored two runs.

Butler limited the Eagles to two hits, striking out three to earn

her 10th victory.

Mesa defeated Estancia, 5-2, last month in the team’s first

matchup.

Estancia played without the services of freshman Muriel Mason, the

team’s No. 1 pitcher.

Mason, who is 6-5 this season, suffered her second concussion

after she was hit in the head with a thrown ball as the Eagles were

warming up in the fifth inning against visiting Santa Ana Friday.

Santa Ana was leading, 5-0, at the time Mason was hit and to forfeit

the game.

Mason was rushed to the hospital and it remains uncertain whether

she will play again this season, Rodig said.

With the win, Mesa moves into sole possession of first place in

the league by virtue of Westminster’s 7-3 victory over Saddleback

Wednesday, Buonarigo said.

*--*

Golden West League

Costa Mesa 13, Estancia 2

Score by Innings

Mesa 000 85 - 13 8 0

Estancia 200 00 -- 2 3 5

Butler and Miller; Flores, Ockey (4) and

Ockey, Acosta (4). W -- Butler, 10-3. L --

Flores, 3-4. 2B -- Mai (CM), Yamamoto (CM)

*--*