SANTA CLARITA – The bats for Saugus’ softball team led the way in a win over Valencia, 11-1, in a Foothill League finale Wednesday.
Saugus (19-8 overall, 12-0 league) used an eight-run second inning to break things open.
After a routine first inning where both teams went down in order, junior Nicole Specht opened the scoring in the second inning with an RBI single to center field to put Saugus up 1-0.
Another run came across for Saugus on an error from Valencia pitcher Aubrie Jensen, and Saugus junior Riley Bennett-Murray hit a three-run home run to center to extend the lead to 5-0.
Isis Solis slugged the Centurions’ second three-run home run of the inning to put Saugus up 8-0 at the end of the second.
Saugus head coach Kyle Mark talked about his team’s change in approach at the plate during the second inning.
“I feel like in the first inning we were swinging at a lot of pitches up, not getting our hands above the ball,” Mark said. “So I think that second inning we just made an adjustment noticing that they were trying to pitch us up. Trying to get our hands more above the ball, stay on top, and just line drives, hard ground balls, and I think that worked out.”
The score held at 8-0 until senior Madison Stanchfield got Valencia (11-10, 6-6) on the scoreboard with a solo home run to left field to lead off the fifth inning.
Valencia couldn’t sustain a rally and was trailing 8-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth.
Senior Malia Horvat led things off for the Centurions in the bottom of the fifth with a ground-rule double to right field and Bennett-Murray followed with her second home run of the game, this time to center field, to put Saugus up 10-1.
Junior Olivia Frias then hit a bloop single into short left field before reaching second base on a wild pitch. Senior Savanna Smith hit a double into center field to drive in Frias and give Saugus an 11-1 lead. The game ended at that point because of the mercy rule.
Saugus finished the regular season undefeated for the second year in a row.
“I just think it’s a testament to how hard our girls work,” Mark said.
“Each and every day, they show up one day at a time putting one foot in front of the other and just try to attack the day and get better where you can. And just really proud of the hard work they’ve done. It’s nice to send the seniors off with another undefeated Foothill League championship.”
Saugus and Valencia earned automatic bids into the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Mark explained Saugus’ mindset as it heads into the postseason.
“One day at a time,” he said. “The most important practice of our season is the one we have tomorrow and the most important game of our season is the next one. So we just gotta attack what we can and control what we can control and you’re 0-0. That’s all that matters is you win the next game.”