Eagles win class struggle

COSTA MESA — More than a crosstown rivalry, Tuesday’s Orange Coast League softball opener between intracity combatants Estancia High and Costa Mesa was a class struggle.

And the visiting Eagles parlayed a series of “senior” moments into a 2-1 come-from-behind victory in the first of three league meetings between the two teams this season.

Estancia seniors Nicole Marlborough, Kendra Fisher and Jillian Beck were key figures in the Eagles’ two sixth-inning runs, allowing senior pitcher Cheyanne Flores to earn the win with a three-hit, 10-strikeout performance.

The presence of six seniors in the Estancia lineup may have created an edge over the Mustangs, who had just one. But Eagles Coach Judd Fryslie said aggressiveness, more so than experience, was what put Estancia over the top.

“It took a while to come back to our aggressive nature,” said Fryslie, who along with assistant coach Lou Flores consistently encourage their players to never hesitate, particularly when it comes to running the bases.

This baserunning bravado, which also led to two runners being thrown out at third base and another doubled off first, eventually proved catalytic in the pivotal sixth.

With one out, Marlborough singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Kassie Stratton. When Fisher’s bouncing ball up the middle sent Costa Mesa second baseman Sami Feinstein diving to her right to keep it in the infield, Marlborough sprinted around third and beat an off-balanced throw to the plate to tie the score. The throw got away, allowing Fisher to advance to second.

A single to center by junior Maliah Murtha put runners at the corners, bringing Beck to the plate.

The center fielder dropped a bunt down the third-base line that was fielded by Costa Mesa senior pitcher Kira Mitani. Mitani threw immediately to the plate, but Fisher, charging hard from third, slid in under the tag for the difference in the game.

“That’s just good softball,” Fryslie said of the tie-breaking run, which helped the Eagles overcome 10 runners left on base, including six in scoring position.

“Being aggressive is the way we’ve been trying to play all year,” Fryslie said.

Costa Mesa Coach Nichole Maddox said aggressiveness also played an important role with her team.

“It basically came down to our offense,” said Maddox, whose team hit three balls out of the infield. “Today, we just couldn’t get around to hit the ball. It came down to us not being aggressive and [the Eagles] were very aggressive at [the plate].”

Estancia (7-5, 1-0 in league) collected 10 hits from seven players. Fisher, who made a difficult catch drifting to shallow right on a pop-up, and senior shortstop Amy Hartwell were both two for three.

Marlborough was two for four and also impressed Fryslie with her baserunning.

“Nicole is a senior and that’s kind of what she does,” Fryslie said. “It’s more than what she gives us, but when she does what she does. You can tell she’s a senior and that’s a compliment.”

Costa Mesa (13-6, 0-1) opened the scoring in the fourth when a single by Michelle Hernandez drove in Alex Kronfeldt from second.

Kronfeldt, who had two of the Mustangs’ four stolen bases, had reached on a fielder’s choice and stolen second.

Hernandez was two for three with a stolen base, while Feinstein had the other Mesa hit and also stole a base.

Feinstein, a junior, also made the game’s best defensive play. She sprinted to her left and dived to snag a blooper behind first base. After tumbling into foul territory, she quickly regained her feet and easily doubled off an Estancia runner at first to end the first inning.

Mitani struck out five and walked only one, while Mustangs hitters worked five walks, including two by junior first baseman Whitney McAleer.

It was the first game in 13 days for both teams, who will meet again April 23 at Estancia and May 4 at Costa Mesa.

The three league meetings are new, prompted by the presence of only four league schools fielding softball teams (Calvary Chapel and Godinez being the other two).

Maddox said having two more chances to play Estancia was a welcome thought.

“Oh, I can’t wait to get [Estancia] again,” Maddox said.

Marlborough said it was great to get the early upper hand on Costa Mesa.

“It’s awesome,” she said of the victory. “Senior year, it’s really important for us. I think all of our hearts were racing [being behind after five innings], so we were all wanting to pull it together.”

Orange Coast League

Estancia 2, Costa Mesa 1

SCORE BY INNINGS

Flores and Hull; Mitani and Skipps. W – C. Flores, 6-4. L – Mitani, 10-5. 2B – Fisher (E).