Dana Hills Is Starting to Learn How to Win

Clearly, the Dana Hills softball team is not used to winning.

The Dolphins’ antics after defeating Santa Margarita, 2-0, to win the Laguna Hills tournament Thursday night at Alicia Park proved that.

One player opened a bottle of sparkling cider hoping to spray Coach Margo Melendrez, but forgot to shake it before popping the cork. Another did plenty of shaking, then couldn’t open the bottle.

A team victory photo session nearly turned into a pile-on as players stumbled over each other getting in position.

But the way the Dolphins (8-1) played during the game indicates that they had better get used to winning. And their impressive record so far indicates they will.

“I don’t know if Dana Hills has ever won a tournament,” said Melendrez, in her third year as coach. “If it has it was before I got here. One of our goals this season was to gain some respect for the program and turn some heads.”

Mission accomplished.

Loren Thornburg (5-1) pitched a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts. The only hit she gave up, a fourth-inning leadoff double by Jesseka Bartholomew, turned into an out when Dolphin left fielder Jessica Clark and shortstop Gen King completed a relay to throw Bartholomew out trying for third.

The Dolphins had taken a 2-0 lead on a two-run double by No. 9 hitter Brittany Anzlovar in the bottom of the third.

“That was huge,” Thornburg said of the fourth-inning defensive play to keep the bases empty. “It totally changed the game.”

Thornburg struck out eight of the next 11 batters to end the game.

Santa Margarita (6-2) got a solid performance from pitcher Nicole Bartholomew (4-2), who struck out eight, gave up three hits and one earned run. But her throwing error one batter before Anzlovar put Dana Hills runners at first and third, setting up Anzlovar’s line shot to left center.