Quick Hits:
- La Mirada was able to stay perfect with a 3-0 win over a feisty Norwalk team. The Lady Lancers entered on a six-game winning streak and stood at 6-2 in the Suburban League. La Mirada was 6-0.
- The difference in this game was a big error by Norwalk in the first inning. With runners at second and third against two outs, Stephanie Baro hit a shallow pop into the infield that looked like an easy out. But the defender’s glove didn’t quite get under the ball and it was dropped, scoring two runners. Norwalk head coach Tony Aguirre said on the play that it’s part of the game and that he told the team to just keep their heads up and stay strong.
- After that miscue it was a very strong defensive effort on both sides, highlighted by some great pitching. Norwalk’s freshman Sam Navarrette pitched a no-hitter through 4 1/3 innings while La Mirada’s ace Valerie Alvarado went all seven innings, giving up just three hits and no runs. She also registered 11 Ks.
- Norwalk had a few opportunities to score a run or two. In the fourth they had runners at third and second against one out thanks to a passed ball. But Alvarado proceeded to get a strikeout then an easy groundout.
- In the third, Mercedes Orozco hit a deep ball to centerfield that was easily a double. But she was waved to third and the defense executed a perfect really to tag her at third. Can see the play above.
- La Mirada added that third run in the fifth after Navarrette was replaced. After a single, Annie Dipillo hit an RBI double to make it 3-0.
- Norwalk did not really threaten after that. They did a single and a walk in the sixth, but the defense clamped down on them well. Alvarado ended the game with four straight Ks over the final two innings. Big time performance in the end.
- The teams will finish their series on Friday.