PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP : Pacifica’s Two-Strike Bunt a Big Hit in the 10th

In a game that featured 19 hits--an avalanche by softball standards--it took a three-foot squeeze bunt by Valerie Downen in the top of the 10th inning to give Pacifica a 2-1 victory over Garden Grove in a Garden Grove League game Thursday.

Downen’s two-strike bunt with one out scored Amber Barazsu from third and capped an afternoon of missed opportunities for the Mariners (9-2, 5-1 in league).

“I had it in the back of my mind that if she got two strikes on her we were going to squeeze,” Pacifica Coach Rob Weil said. “It fooled everyone. I don’t think they were expecting it.”

Pacifica had plenty of baserunners in the game--the Mariners had 14 hits and stranded 15 runners, leaving the bases loaded three times--but couldn’t get crucial hits in regulation.

The Mariners did score first, however, in the top of the ninth for a 1-0 lead.

Downen reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and third and scored on third baseman Leslie Mascarenas’ two-out double that sailed over the head of left fielder Mandy Mendoza.

Garden Grove (8-2-1, 4-1-1), which had mustered only four hits off right-hander Jennifer Surface (8-2) to that point, rallied to tie the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the ninth.

Third baseman Nakia Houston reached on a throwing error by Mascarenas. Autumn Gwinner struck out and shortstop Kelly White bounced out to Surface, with Houston taking second. First baseman Briana Corona then lined a single to right to score Houston.

Surface retired the side in order in the 10th to preserve the victory. She had 13 strikeouts and no walks. Mascarenas went three for six and catcher Susan Denny was three for four with a walk.

Right-hander Kim Taylor (3-2-1), who relieved Duffy White with two outs in the third inning, got the loss. Corona had two of the Argonauts’ hits.