SOFTBALL: Dons vs. Grossmont.
GAME DATE: Thursday, FEB-21-2013.
Yglesias’ double wins game for Dons in walk-off fashion.
With one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, centerfielder Genna Main stood at third base representing the game-winning run. Grossmont moved its outfielders in, an attempt to cut the runner down at the plate.
But freshman second baseman Alyssa Yglesias lofted an extra-innings, walk-off double over the outfield in the Dons 10-9 victory over visiting Grossmont College Thursday.
“We never gave up. We kept our composure all game,” Yglesias said, as she trotted to her evening class forty-five minutes late.
Each team started the eighth inning with a runner at second because the International Tie Breaker Rule was instituted after the two teams ended the seventh inning tied 7-7.
Grossmont scored two runs in the top of the eighth, grabbing a 9-7 lead. Griffins’ shortstop Clarissa Norris hit an RBI double and scored on a sacrifice fly.
“I had two strikes on me, so I tried to stay clam,” Norris said. “It was a rough day for me at the plate, I saw it right down the middle and hit it.”
Santa Ana College put pinch runner Mina Pavao at second base and sent pinch hitter Heather Robertson to start the bottom of the eighth. Robertson lined a double into the left-centerfield gap, scoring Pavao.
“I had a three-two count, I knew the pitch would be a strike if I didn’t swing,” Robertson said. “I like to come off the bench as a pinch hitter.”
Main then stepped into the box and drove a double into the right-centerfield gap tying the game at nine.
“All game I kept popping up, so I was trying to get on top of the ball,” Main said.
Third baseman Alexandra Perkins advanced Main to third with a sacrifice bunt, setting up Yglesias for the walk-off win.
The Dons were leading by two runs entering the seventh and final inning of regulation.
But the Griffins (8-6) loaded the bases with two outs. Head Coach Doug Hartung reentered sophomore leftfielder Vanessa McHugh, instead of letting freshman Kaitlyn Townsend take the at bat.
“Vanessa (McHugh) is an experienced hitter and I have a lot of confidence in her,” Hartung said. “She has the power to put the ball in a gap for us.”
Going with the veteran batter proved to be the right move. McHugh laced a two-run single up the middle tying the game at seven.
“I waited for my pitch, it was outside and down the middle half,” McHugh said.
Right-hander Chantal Oelrich picked up the win for the Dons, throwing six innings in relief of starter Devon Rodriguez. Oelrich allowed five runs, one earned, on seven hits and three walks while striking out three.
The two teams combined for 19 runs on 29 hits and three errors. At least one run was scored in every inning except the second and fifth.
The Dons (9-3, 0-2 OEC) play conference opponent Orange Coast College today at 2 p.m.
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