La Habra’s softball team finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Freeway League after beating both Sunny Hills (1-0 in 10 innings) and  then Fullerton in a 11-12 slugfest that went nine innings.

The coin toss decided the Clan would be the second place team, placing them on the road to Tesoro for its first CIF game.

The Clan quickly fell behind when Tesoro picked up a run in the  first inning, but the team stuck to its coach’s advice and played every out as it came. By the third inning it was time for La Habra’s Maleena Esparza to make her presence known which she did with a double. Next up in the batting order came Shanin Thomas who singled Maleena home. Then Leslie Halte, whose bat has gotten hot, doubled Thomas home.

That was all rock steady Kayla Klein needed. In the seventh she gave up a walk to the lead batter and walked Kasey Lange intentionally for the third time before she struck out two and forced a ground out for the third and final out of the game.

Meanwhile at home Whittier Christian’s pitcher, Courtney McGee was busy with a pitcher’s duel of her own as she faced Rowland High. Through 10 innings she allowed no runs, compiled 12 strike outs and gave up only one walk, as her defense took care of the few hits Rowland got, seeing to it that only one runner reached second base and that was early in the game.

Still the offense couldn’t put a run together until the 10th inning when first baseman Erica Granado had an infield single. Linh Blackey came in to run for her, stole second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and stole home on a second wild pitch. 

It is obvious to an observer that both teams gain strength and focus from the intensity each pitcher brings to the game.

Klein’s coach Frank McCarroll spoke of Klein’s steadiness and concentration while McGee’s coach Dale Van Duyn spoke of McGee’s mental strength. 

Softball is a team game, and both women recognize it, but neither is reluctant to step up and lead her team where it needs to go. Each does it by example not speeches.

Addendum
It took 10 innings but Klein once again came out on the winning end of 1-0 ball game when the heralds beat Western. On Thursday, May 27, Whittier Christian will host San Marino in the quarterfinal game as they continue their pursuit of a second CIF Championship.