Pacifica Strikes Quickly, Then Relies on Carter Pitching Strikes

Pacifica parlayed a four-run outburst in the first inning and the strong pitching of Kasey Carter into a 4-0 victory Tuesday over host Rancho Alamitos in a Garden Grove League softball game.

The Mariners (14-3, 6-0), fourth-ranked in the county, scored four quick runs by stringing together a walk and four singles, and Carter held the Vaqueros to three hits.

“We like to get a run or two early and let our defense and pitching take over,” Pacifica Coach Rob Weil said. “That’s our forte.”

Rancho Alamitos was able to hold the Mariners scoreless following the first inning, but Carter (6-2) dashed any Vaquero hopes of a comeback by retiring 12 in a row at one point and finishing with five strikeouts.

“Kasey’s dominant,” Weil said. “She’s been hitting her spots and her pitching has been keeping us in games lately.”

The Vaqueros had their best chance to score in the sixth when Jackie Gogan led off with a single and, two outs later, Crystal Neer grounded a single up the middle. But Gogan was thrown out by Mariner center fielder Jessica Marical as she tried to advance to third on Neer’s hit, ending the threat. Carter closed out the game by retiring the side in order in the seventh.

With the loss, Rancho Alamitos (8-8, 4-2) fell into third and the league-leading Mariners moved 1 1/2 games ahead of idle Santiago.

“[Pacifica’s] defense and pitching is just too tough,” Rancho Alamitos Coach Mike Gogan said. “Plus, we knew they’ve been pounding the ball lately, so we decided to play deep and, of course, they hit the ball in front of us.”

Jennifer Orpitelli went three for three with an RBI and Amber Gaines finished with two hits and a run scored for Pacifica, which had nine hits.