LAKE BALBOA — Birmingham freshman pitcher Jasmin Nungurey pivoted to next season with a smile and a confidence that was unwavering to the end.
Nungurey saw a team defense that connected at crucial moments and managed to stave off defeat for one more inning and force extra innings against junior Redwood pitching ace Jackie Ramirez in the first round of the CIF SoCal Regional Division II playoffs Wednesday.
Ramirez had 17 strikeouts and received a four-run boost in the top of the eighth inning to help No. 5 seed Redwood of Visalia defeat No. 4 seed Birmingham 5-2 in eight innings.
“Today gave me an experience that I’ll have and remember for my future,” Nungurey said. “I’m going to continue fighting and this is one of many challenges that I’m going to face in years to come.”
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Birmingham (13-11) had its season end with dispute after Patriots catcher Karina Sanchez rounded third and slid into home with two outs on a single lined into left field by designated player Meea De La Cueva.
Sanchez slid into home and the ball appeared to loosen from the glove of Redwood catcher Aubrie Jenkins on a throw from left field by freshman Kyrie Rodriguez based on video replay.
Sanchez was called out with second baseman Mikaela Villa due to bat next. Villa would have represented the potential winning run.
Players on the Birmingham softball team celebrate after outfielder Camila Guillen hit a home run in the seventh inning during a CIF SoCal Division II Regional first-round game against Redwood at Birmingham High School on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (Photo by Ethan Hanson, LA Daily News/SCNG)
Ramirez allowed only one hit through 6 2/3 innings and was one out from beating Birmingham with a 1-0 lead when senior right fielder Camila Guillen stepped to the plate.
Guillen swung at a screwball tossed by Ramirez and hit a towering home run into over the left field fence to tie the game 1-1 and send the game into extra innings.
“My coach just told me to wait and watch for a pitch that was going to come inside,” Guillen said. “Hitting the inside pitch is my favorite.”
Guillen was a difference maker for Birmingham at the plate and on defense. She saved a run after fielding a line drive from third baseman Jaden Lopez and threw to first with the bases loaded to keep the score 0-0 in the third inning.
“We were all just really grateful for the opportunity to play again,” Guillen said. “I want to show that our defense could connect.”
Ramirez is trained by Haley Dolcini, an All-American pitcher who threw for Texas in the College World Series final in 2022. Dolcini is now the pitching coach at Fresno City College. Ramirez credited Dolcini with helping her develop a blend of off-speed pitches that baffled Birmingham’s batters.
“None of us wanted this to be our last game,” Ramirez said of her teammates. “Our team has a team full of great leaders.”
Birmingham coach Jim Rose acknowledged being frustrated with the ending of the game, but he was quick to validate the command and movement of Ramirez’s pitches.
“At state, you have to play your best ball and we competed,” Rose said. “We struck out way too many times today. That might be a record for us in 27 years. We should’ve pulled the trigger a little more and hit the ball like the way we did in the last inning. We brought the tying run to the plate and we could’ve done nothing in that inning.”
Birmingham made it to the CIF LA City Section Open Division semifinals. Next season the Patriots will return nine underclassmen, led by Nungurey in the circle.
“The whole year they battled,” Rose said. “That’s what we told them was you have one more game no matter what. This senior group was in it two years ago and got to experience it twice. I’m hoping we can find a way back.”