By Robert Balajadia
The Southern Dolphins softball team were intent on avenging their early season loss to the Guam High Panthers and they did so by not committing any errors to beat the Panthers 3-0 at the Southern home field Wednesday evening.
The mistake free game was no simple feat, and the difference was their attentiveness all-game long in being able to negate the Panthers attack.
“We were really excited and pumped for this game,” said Southern’s 3rd base and shortstop Alex Aguero. “It felt good to see my Dolphins comeback from a loss. Now, we’re just really focused on the playoffs and that’s where we will bring it.”
An anticipated matchup heading into the evening was between Panthers pitching ace Kayla Dempsey and Southern’s leading lady Myah Quenga. Rest was hard to come by for Quenga, who was coming off pitching an entire game in just a 24-hour period against the Academy Cougars, but starting pitcher Eleyse Pocaigue held it down for the first two innings until Quenga took the mound.
Dolphins’ Alex Aguero gets the out at third and fires a throw to first for a double play. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Up 2-0, Pocaige walked two straight batters which prompted the coaches to relieve her for Aguero. Instead, Quenga pleaded that her arm was doing fine and that she would like to give the game a go. Four complete innings later, Quenga got the close-out victory, plus an RBI in the bottom of the 5th inning to go up 3-0.
“I started to get really comfortable, I felt really good and warmed up. [My arm] is sore now, but it feels good to get a shutout win,” said Quenga.
Quenga barley escaped the 3rd inning with the bases loaded and her batter at full count. Instead of nerves breaking down her form, Quenga felt she was in the zone from the minute she stepped up to pitch and she delivered a strikeout to end the inning which could have completely changed the pace of the game.
Panthers ace pitcher Kayla Dempsey winds up for a pitch in the 2nd inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Dempsey displayed her dangerous pitching game, but Southern caught a small spark behind bat in the 2nd inning after Aguero and Kristi Stone to score both runs.
Aguero made a highlight-reel double-play in the fifth inning to quickly put the lid on the Panthers single hit on Quenga to end the inning.
Dolphins first base Joylen Concepcion grabbed two fly balls to end the 6th inning, but a juggling catch in the top of the 7th was the games best grab. Quenga, with ice in her veins, fired home the games final strikeout to complete the win.
“Our communication was working well today and this is the first time we didn’t have any errors, so that’s why we were all jumping,” added Quenga.
Southern improves to 7-4 on the season while the Panthers fall to 8-4-1.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Dolphins Joylen Concepcion makes the juggling grab in the 7th inning. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Dolphin Joylen Concepcion makes another leaping grab to get the out. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Panthers Kayla Dempsey tries to get the runner out at first base, but an error on the play allowed the runner to take third. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Panthers Cylynthia Dargan gets the impressive out on the sliding Alex Aguero. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Panthers Kyra Castro gets a hit on Dolphins Myah Quenga. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
The Panthers infield traps Dolphins Elyse Pocaigue, where Pocaigue eventually ran outside the lines trying to avoid. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Panthers Kayla Blend gets the tag on second base and the out at first for a double play. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Dolphins starting pitcher Elyse Pocaigue gets off a strike. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
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