Marina softball pounds out 11 hits in win over Mission Viejo

Persistent rainfall made it tough for high school softball teams looking to get their season underway last week.

After making up two games in the Savanna Tournament on Presidents’ Day, Marina took the field again on Wednesday. Once again, the weather was part of the story, but the Vikings braved cold and windy conditions to get the win.

Nicole Logrecco went three for three with three runs scored and a run batted in, as the host Vikings defeated Mission Viejo 9-2 in a nonleague game.

“It’s always windy [at Marina],” Vikings coach Shelly Luth said. “It’s a wind chill because it’s in the 50s. It is bone-chilling, yesterday and today. It’s been this way.

“Our field looks pretty good. It’s taken the rain, but it is just cold. I commend the kids because it is hard to play in these conditions.”

Luth would know. She is back as head coach after holding the position with the program from 1984 to 2014.

The American flag behind the center-field wall blew straight in for most of the game. In a display of her power, recent Cal State Northridge signee Shayla Thomas went the opposite way to right-center field for a run-scoring double to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

“We’ve been working on outside [pitches] because as a No. 4 hitter, that is basically all I am going to see,” said Thomas, who drove in three runs in the game. “On a windy day, which it is always windy here at Marina, you just have to work down. Line drives [and] hard on the ground.

“It was [Mission Viejo’s] first game, so I just told the team that we had to try to pounce on them because we’ve already had two games.”

Emily Rush doubled the lead with a two-out single in the fourth inning. Marina (2-1) was afforded further breathing room on a controversial call. Carlie Hoetker was ruled safe at first, with Diablos shortstop Taylor Deden appearing to get the throw there in time.

In an assumption that the out had been recorded, first baseman Olivia Birkinshaw rolled the ball back to the pitching rubber, and Brianna Gonzales was able to score on the play.

Marina was dangerous throughout the game, recording 11 hits and leaving 15 runners on base in just six innings. Second baseman Taylor Lane had a pair of singles, adding two sacrifice-bunts and a walk.

Freshman left-fielder Haylee Orozco brought added depth to the Marina batting order. The Vikings No. 8 hitter reached base three times with two singles and a walk. She lined out to shortstop in her other at-bat.

“[Coach] Dan [Hay] has changed my swing, so I have to adjust to how he wants me to hit,” Orozco said. “I’ve been working on adjusting my hands.”

Zoe King had a single and an RBI. She split time with Jacey Henderson at catcher and designated player.

Rush threw a complete game for the victory. She allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits. The junior right-hander struck out four and did not issue a walk.

“I think we look really good,” Logrecco said. “I think we’ll do good this season. We haven’t been on the field that much, due to the rain, but I think we’re pretty good right now where we’re at.

“The lineup is pretty good this year, so I’m excited.”

andrew.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @ProfessorTurner