HUNTINGTON BEACH – Young and out to prove themselves might be the best way to describe Marina’s softball team.
With one senior in the starting lineup, the Vikings had growing pains early in the season, but those stopped once the team got to league.
Marina defeated fifth-ranked Huntington Beach, 5-3, Thursday to pull into a tie for second place in the Sunset League.
Kayla Pemasa and Julia Carreon had two hits each to lead the Vikings (10-13, 4-2), who earned their fourth victory in their last five league games.
“This preseason, we played a lot of really tough teams,” Vikings coach Mandee Farish said. “Our record doesn’t show how much we’ve improved, but it’s starting to come around and just when we need it.”
Amber Baldwin (10-11) earned the win, holding the Oilers (18-3, 4-2) to two runs on four hits over 52/3 innings. She left the game with the Vikings ahead, 3-2.
“Amber was amazing hitting her spots,” said third baseman Shayla Thomas, who recorded five outs. “It was easy for me as a third baseman. They rolled over, grounded out, and it was easy.”
In the seventh, Pemasa provided some much needed insurance. The sophomore hammered a two-run homer to straightaway center to make it 5-2.
The Oilers tried to rally late. Alyssa Horeczko walked and scored on a groundout to second by Kelli Kufta. Callie Saccacio walked to bring the tying run to the plate, but Carreon got Jadelyn Allchin to fly out to Pemasa in right to end the game.
“I’m just glad that I had the opportunity to show what I can do in this game,” Pemasa said. “It was a really big game for us because we’re tied for second right now.”
The Vikings split the season series with the Oilers. First-place Los Alamitos (19-2, 5-1) holds a one-game lead over both teams.
Allchin had two hits and three stolen bases to lead Huntington Beach.
