Mira Costa, Palos Verdes softball teams look for postseason runs

Junior Dara English leads Redondo with six doubles and 13 runs scored. Photo

With the regular season concluding Wednesday when Mira Costa hosted rival Redondo, the Bay League race appeared to finish with two teams tied for first place.

Redondo, however, had other plans knocking off Mira Costa 5-4 while Palos Verdes took care of business with a 6-1 victory over Peninsula.

Rachel Allen had four hits including two home runs while driving in four runs in the Bay League winning contest for Palos Verdes (16-7, 7-1).

Playing the role of spoiler, Redondo (9-16, 5-3) edged Mira Costa 5-4 behind Carly Koltko who pitched a complete game while hitting a home run and driving in three runs.

Playoffs schedules are set to be released on Monday with Mira Costa (16-13, 6-2) competing in Division 3 and Palos Verdes in Division 4

“If things stay the way they are right now it would be a split with PV because they are in a different division then us,” Mira Costa coach Brittany Gardner said on Tuesday.

Mira Costa has only two seniors on its roster, so the future is bright for the Mustangs who have been led by juniors Piper Neri and Ella Lee at the plate.  

Mira Costa sophomore Katie Katsuyama has been the Mustang’s top pitcher this season, also batting .325. Photo

“Amanda Siegel (.434, 35 RBIs) is a freshman that is our starting shortstop,” Gardner said. “Even though she is young, she came in understanding the game and took over as a leader out on the field.”

Katie Katsuyama (9-7, 3.35 ERA) and Angel Santellan (7-3, 3.54 ERA) have shared duties as the team’s top pitchers.

Mira Costa has faced stiff competition in three tournaments including the Katella Tournament, the Torrance National Tournament (TNT) and the La Mirada Tournament which has the Mustangs prepared to make a deep run in the postseason.  

“We hold our destiny in our hands,” Gardner said. “We are one of the most talented teams I have coached at Costa. If we show up mentally we can beat anyone. I look forward to seeing how CIF goes this year.”

Redondo is another young squad which also has only two seniors on its team that features nine freshmen and sophomores.

Redondo is ranked No. 5 in Division 5 and is led by sophomore Koltko who is hitting .449 with a team-high 31 hits to go with 20 RBIs, four doubles and three home runs.

Koltko is also the ace of the staff in the pitcher’s circle with a 3.37 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 114.1 innings.

For playoff schedules, visit cifss.org Monday after 10 a.m.

Comments:

comments so far. Comments posted to EasyReaderNews.com may be reprinted in the Easy Reader print edition, which is published each Thursday.