Sage strikes fast

Steve Virgen

Confidence can be a powerful asset and it certainly seemed to be for

Rebecca Hembarsky.

The Sage Hill School sophomore went 3 for 5 and also cooled down

an Estancia High rally over the final three innings, pitching two

scoreless frames, helping lead the Lightning to a 12-7 nonleague

softball win over the Eagles.

“We knew we were going to win,” said Hembarsky, a transfer from

North Carolina. “We were prepared to win and our minds were in the

game. We were confident and just confident in ourselves.”

Sage Hill scored four runs in the first and six more in the

second, as the Lightning capitalized on seven walks and a few

Estancia errors. The Eagles nearly rallied, as they attempted to

answer an 11-2 deficit by scoring three runs in the fourth and two in

the sixth.

However, Hembarsky retired the side in order in the final inning,

as Estancia (0-3) maintained its search for its first win of the

season. Sage Hill (1-2-1) was successful in earning its first

victory.

Alexa Shitanishi, the Lightning’s junior shortstop and team

co-captain, contributed with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.

She was also hit by a pitch, and on defense she provided nine

assists.

“They were swinging the bats,” Coach Jim Percival said of his Sage

Hill team that produced eight hits. “We just went out real well in

the first couple innings. We’ve been trying to work on our offense

this year.”

The Eagles came within 11-5 with the help of a three-run fourth.

Allison Wyman and Lina You were walked to begin the inning and Be

Diep helped them advance one base each with a sacrifice bunt.

Estancia freshman Nicole Amaya brought in Wyman with a groundout RBI,

while You scored on a passed ball, sliding to beat the tag at the

plate.

Estancia had three hits, with You, Hilary Ockey and Josie Flores

coming up with one each.

“We’re a young team,” Eagles Coach Marc Rodig said. “We just need

some girls to step up.”

*--*

Nonleague

Sage Hill 12, Estancia 7

Score by Innings

Sage Hill 461 001 0 -- 12 8 4

Estancia 110 302 0 -- 7 3 3

Redelsheimer, Hembarsky (4) and Torina; C.

Kaplan, Flores (7) and Brown. W --

Redelsheimer. L -- C. Kaplan.

*--*