The Cougars (8-2-1 overall, 3-1 Monterey Bay League) resume
league action Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Seaside.
Standing on second base, Olivia Barajas raised both arms above her head, shook her fists and stepped toward her approaching manager Larry Nabzeska. The two embraced during the brief timeout as visiting Harbor High regrouped.
Moments before, Barajas ripped a line drive base hit, chasing home a pair of Cougars to extend a one-run lead into a more comfortable 4-1 advantage.
“We’ve been having a little communication struggle, Olivia and I,” Nabzeska said. “And I just wanted to show her how much I appreciate what she is doing for the team.”
The two-out hit in the bottom of the fifth capped a three-run inning, which broke a 1-1 tie and ultimately sent the Cougars to a 4-1 non-league victory over the Pirates on Friday.
“I’ve been struggling a lot but finally I came through with it,” Barajas said I just smacked it. It felt great.”
Knotted at 1-all in the fifth after the Pirates tied matters in the top half of the inning, the Cougars began a quick two-out rally after Marizza Lucio singled putting runners on the corners.
Nabzeska dialed up a rare two-out suicide squeeze call and Janelle Hernandez executed the order with ease, softly dropping down the bunt in between the pitcher and catcher. Pinch runner Angelica Carrillo scooted across home plate and Hernandez reached safely to extend the inning for Barajas who followed with her single.
“We played as a team and our bats came alive like they should,” said third baseman Kayla Medrano who went 2 for 3 with a run scored. “Our bats have been good but not when we really needed them. But in this game we got (the hits) when we needed.”
Medrano manufactured the Cougars’ first run of the ball game in the bottom of the third, turning a potential base running mistake into a 1-0 lead.
With two out and Medrano standing on second, Kristen Dennis beat out an infield single. However, Medrano rounded third a bit too wide. The throw back to third was bobbled and Medrano used the opportunity to her advantage and raced home.
“It was really scary, but I went for it and surprisingly I was safe,” she said.
Aly Olvera kept the Pirates at bay for much of the game, though her error in the fifth allowed the run. Despite the quick hiccup, Olvera remained in control, striking out seven in the win.
“The girls played well, they took advantage of the situations,” Nabzeska said. “We were able to put the ball in play and score the runs. This was the best game we have played.”
The Cougars (8-2-1 overall, 3-1 Monterey Bay League) resume league action Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Seaside.
