It was a day San Marino High School softball coach Scott Edmonds had looked forward to all year: the first round of the CIF Division 5 playoffs, which arrived last Thursday afternoon.
But with the berth came a road trip to Acton and a matchup with host Vasquez High School. As expected, it was a hot and windy day, but the Titans overcame the elements, riding the unlikely right arm of freshman pitcher Chloe Wang to a 4-3 win over the Mustangs.
The contest provided plenty to fill the narrative, as the Titans entered their postseason opener unsure of how much they could expect from ace pitcher Claire Streeter, who had re-injured a tender back a week earlier. In her stead was the courageous Wang, who pitched four full innings and kept the Mustangs off balance, scattering four hits and allowing just one run.
When Edmonds turned to Streeter, who is headed to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to continue her pitching career, she was ready. Though the senior surrendered a home run, Streeter fanned nine Mustangs to get the save – a rare statistic for her – as the Titans advanced to the second round. The host Mustangs picked up two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Streeter shut the door to seal the win.
“First, I really have to hand it to Chloe, who pitched an outstanding game, especially when you consider the circumstances,” said Edmonds. “Hers was such a clutch performance.”
Not only did Wang earn the win, she also knocked a momentum-changing double at the plate.
Sophia Bilvado smacked a two-run homer and also picked up an additional hit. Kayla Giddings went 1-for-3 and scored a run, Kate Brunner and Katy Bell each had a hit and an RBI, Macy Mooney had a hit and scored two runs while Nadia Escobar and Tiffany Pletting also recorded base hits.
San Marino (14-8 overall record, 6-6 in league) hosted Santa Paula on Tuesday afternoon. The game ended past the Tribune’s deadline but will be included in next week’s edition.
