Redondo Union’s softball team enters the postseason on a high note after capturing its first outright Bay League championship in six years.
Coach Jennifer Dessert’s Sea Hawks rebounded from a 12-0 mercy-rule home loss to rival Mira Costa on April 19 by winning their last six league games including a 5-3 road win against Mira Costa and a 1-0 home victory over Peninsula to secure the league title.
Dessert credits the team’s mental outlook and the pitching of Katrina Ung for the turnaround this season.
“As a team we did not hit well off of (Mira Costa pitcher Dillan) Boada that first contest because we were sitting back after they had some hard hits early on in the game,” Dessert explained. “We got intimidated and the rest of the game we didn’t play our game. Kat Ung was ill the first time we played Mira Costa but she has really developed this season. The team has gained much confidence behind her. The fact that she shut down Taylor Glover four times in our second game against Mira Costa was phenomenal. In addition, our defense made some spectacular plays — diving catches, running for many popups — that, along with hard hits that forced errors and aggressive base-running, put together a great game against Mira Costa.
“We followed the same formula when we beat Peninsula. We shut down their number one batter, Brooke Wines, four times and played solid defense behind Ung, getting that one key hit by Taleigh Williams in the fourth inning. I am so proud of them for prevailing.”
Freshman Ung is 9-4 in the circle this season with a 2.22 ERA. Sophomores Breanna Miskimen and Morgan Moczygemba along with juniors Gabrielle DeLaVega and Williams are all hitting above .400 this year.
Redondo (16-12) will host Chaminade (20-7) in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs on Thursday. All playoff games with the exception of the final are slated to start at 3:15 p.m.
Division 3 is loaded with local teams with strong pitching staffs.
“I believe this team has the drive it takes to move forward in playoffs more than any other team I have coached,” Dessert said. “They truly bring positive energy to the dugout—and our competitors take notice. Everyone from the starters to the reserves contributes that intense energy needed to compete at the highest levels. There is no selfish softball going on here, we all want the win.”
Bay League runner-up Mira Costa (20-7-1) plays at Pioneer League runner-up and tenth-seeded Torrance (20-11) in the first round.
Glover is a catalyst for the Mustang offense, batting .578 with a team-high 49 runs scored. The senior outfield is a perfect 33-for-33 in stolen base attempts.
Boada will be looked upon to carry Mira Costa throughout the playoffs. The sophomore hurler is 18-5 this season with a 1.42 ERA.
Other Bay League representatives include Peninsula (14-10) and West Torrance (14-12), which played wild-card games on Tuesday. Peninsula mercy-ruled visiting Arroyo Grande 13-0 and will play at No. 8 North Torrance (21-10) in the first round.
West Torrance surrendered five runs in the seventh inning in a 6-5 loss at Lancaster in its wild-card contest.
El Segundo (19-11) is the third team from the Pioneer League and came from behind for a 7-6 victory at Troy in a wild-card game. The Eagles will travel to No. 3 Bishop Amat (20-4) for their first-round game.
