SAN MATEO, CA - Aragon's softball team took advantage of what has been a rare opportunity in the last decade, scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning on Friday to capture a 2-1 victory over rival Hillsdale in the Big Game between the two programs.
Hillsdale (15-9, 6-6 PAL-Bay) had won 19 straight games in the rivalry, dating back to March 20, 2008, when the Dons posted a 6-1 victory over the Fighting Knights. Since then, the rivalry had been all Hillsdale, until Friday afternoon.
"The San Mateo community really embraces both teams, and these kids all grew up playing together in San Mateo Youth Softball," said Aragon coach Christie McCoy. "The game is in its 27th year, so it's a special rivalry, and it's really exciting to have a win this season, especially with a young team like we have."
The Dons (9-12, 5-7) have just two seniors on their roster this season, but both of those seniors are committed to play in college. Outfielder Jen Horita is headed to Boston University next school year, while Soraya Frick will play for Coppin State. Frick, however, is out for the season after tearing her ACL.
As a result, a young team has been navigating the waters for Aragon this year, a team which came together on Friday to get its biggest win of the season.
"This is a neat team, very bonded and full of hard workers," McCoy said. "They take a lot of pride in every play and reaching their goals every time out."
On Friday, those goals were clearly within reach entering the bottom of the sixth inning, with the game tied at one. Makalila Tuakoi led off the inning with a triple to left, and Amanda Lovell then reached first when her line drive to short was dropped. Lovell advanced to second on the next pitch, placing both runners in scoring position with no outs.
Needing a ball up the middle or in the air, Kayleigh Pucinelli came through with a ground ball to second base, scoring Tuakoi with the go-ahead run. Hillsdale escaped the inning without allowing another run, but the damage had been done.
"We saw the opportunities for execution," McCoy added. "They knew every pitch counted at that point."
Hillsdale never threatened in the top of the seventh inning, as Aragon pitcher Holly Fletcher set the Fighting Knights down in order, completing a string of nine straight batters who were retired by the winning pitcher.
"Holly did awesome. She had control over the circle, and everything was working," McCoy said. "It was a tight strike zone, but she embraced it and was very confident. It was one of the best games I have seen her pitch."
Fletcher's performance negated an outstanding performance from Hillsdale's Kealani Kafusi, who scattered six hits while striking out four. The two players pitch together on the same travel ball team, the West Bay Warriors, and have been playing together since they were eight years old. Fletcher, however, was simply more dominant on this day, allowing just four hits and no earned runs, while striking out six.
Aragon hosts Capuchino on Tuesday afternoon, while Hillsdale hosts Burlingame.