Western High has struggled to finish off opponents this year, especially when battling in Empire League competition. On Thursday, May 2, the team once managed to remain neck-to-neck with host Kennedy High, but it faltered during the later innings to suffer a 9-3 defeat in league action.
“We always start off good,” Western Head Coach Mike Davis said. “We actually had them on the run for a moment, but we didn’t keep it up.”
Kennedy (12-8, 6-3) remained in third place by capturing its second straight game. It trails powerhouse Pacifica, which bested the team last week and owns a comfortable two game lead in the standings, as well as Yorba Linda.
“I think we were in cruise control,” Kennedy Head Coach Sarah Mesa said. “We are definitely one of the teams to beat, and they knew it, so we were expecting a good game.”
The Pioneers (7-16, 2-9) stayed in fifth place and will likely miss the playoffs again.
Fighting Irish starting pitcher Tayler Jerrick captured the win, improving her impressive record to 9-0. She threw for seven innings, allowing three earned runs and 11 hits. Jerrick also struck out six and walked four batters.
The Irish notched a run in the first and two in the second to take a 3-0 lead. McKayla Taylor swung the heaviest stick, posting a 3-for-4 performance that included a home run and double. She also knocked in a pair of runs.
Additionally, Nicole Chaves went 3-for-3 with a double and pair of RBI while teammate Rachel Poiner finished with a 1-for-3 day at the plate, scoring and knocking in a pair of runs. Ashlynn Preciado delivered a 3-4 effort that included a double.
Despite suffering the loss the Pioneers finished with 11 hits – three more than the Irish. They also tied up the score in the top of the third. Junior McKayla Dole, a standout player on the volleyball team, stepped to the plate with two runners on base. She then preceded to blast a home run, which marked her second in two weeks and fourth of the season.
Ariel Hernandez started the contest for the Pioneers and managed to keep them off the board in the bottom of the third. However, she was relieved by Amber Wolford, who gave up five runs in the fifth as Kennedy jumped in front with a six-run lead.
“They are a good hitting team,” Davis said.
It didn’t help matters that the Pioneers committed two errors in the field.