FULLERTON – By this point in the softball season, Mission Viejo coach Troy Ybarra has the routine down pat. So many times during the Diablos’ undefeated season they have jumped out to an early lead then relied on strong pitching to cruise to a victory.
Throughout all of their one-sided wins, one thing that hasn’t wavered is the players’ focus.
The Diablos were locked in from the first pitch during an 8-0 win over Sunny Hills in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs Thursday at Sunny Hills High.
Mission Viejo (29-0), the defending Division 2 champions, scored four runs in the first inning, giving starting pitcher Taylor McQuillin more than enough support to secure a spot in the semifinals.
“When we came in (after the first inning), we told the girls that it was 0-0,” Ybarra said. “We have to take that approach – we want to win every inning, we want to win every pitch.
“We don’t look at the score until the end of the game when we’re meeting in right field.”
Mission Viejo, which has outscored its three playoff opponents 30-2, will play at South Hills of Covina in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Alyssa Palomino led the way offensively, going 3 for 3 with a home run, three runs scored and three runs batted in. The senior reached base in all four of her plate appearances and also stole two bases.
McQuillin allowed just two hits. She struck out eight and only allowed one baserunner for Sunny Hills (19-11) to reach second base.
“She mixed up her pitches very well today,” Ybarra said. “She didn’t miss much, and sometimes your pitchers will make a mistake and the hitters will take advantage of that. There weren’t any mistakes made, she had a very good day today.”
The win was the 34th consecutive for the Diablos. They are 81-3 over the past three seasons and are trying to win back-to-back CIF-SS titles after capturing their first in school history a year ago.
