No. 4 Pacifica takes pair from Orange Lutheran

Defense in any sport can sometimes be overlooked.

That was not the case when the fourth-ranked Pacifica softball team took the field Wednesday against No. 6 Orange Lutheran in a nonleague doubleheader at Pacifica.

The Mariners (20-2) swept, 4-0 and 8-1, thanks in large part to their defense.

Freshman pitcher Kaylee Carlson started the first game. She induced a lot of ground balls and pop flies that her teammates handled with ease, making it difficult for the Lancers to get on base.

The Mariners turned three double plays in the first game and two more in the second game.

"We are very aggressive on defense ... the way (the team) played defense, that's how we've done it all year," Mariners coach Mark Campbell said. "That's how we practice and that's how (the team) knows to play."

In the second game, Orange Lutheran (21-6) had the bases loaded and one out in the first inning. Sophomore right fielder Olivia Sandusky hit a fly ball to shallow center field that looked deep enough to bring home the runner from third. But a sharp throw from Pacifica outfielder Taylor Cox to the catcher was on the money and the tag was applied, ending the inning.

"I know that my pitchers work really hard so I try to back them up as much as possible," Cox said.

In the Golden West League:

Orange 14, Santa Ana 4: Brianna Peralta went 4 for 4 with four RBIs, and Misty Hewlett went 4 for 5 as the Panthers (12-9, 3-4) defeated the visiting Saints (6-14, 0-7).

In the Trinity League:

Santa Margarita 10, JSerra 0: Starting pitcher Amy LeTourneau notched her second no-hitter in league play as the Eagles (17-8, 3-2) defeated the Lions (8-14, 0-7) in five innings at JSerra.

LeTourneau (12-3) struck out 10, walked two and hit two. At the plate, LeTourneau was 2 for 2 with two doubles, and Danielle Reiss was 2 for 3 with three RBIs.