First published in the May 19 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
In an exciting La Cañada Baseball Softball Association 12-and-under softball championship game, the Metal Lords rallied in the final inning to defeat the Purple Thunder, 6-5, behind the heroics of Abby Weiss.
Weiss broke a 5-5 tie with a one-out single into right field in the bottom of the seventh inning to drive in the winning run scored by Riley Labrecque. Weiss was also stellar in the pitcher’s circle, tossing a scoreless final three innings.
Alexandra Kelly, the team’s star pitcher, had to exit the game with an injury to her pitching hand following the top half of the fourth inning after snagging a line drive hit by Camryn Cha. Kelly recorded six strikeouts and walked only one batter.
Offensively, the Metal Lords were paced by Siena Matthews (two hits and two runs), Labrecque (a hit, two runs and an RBI), Kennedy Hunt (reached based three times and drove in a run) and Isabella Kurs (base hit). Kurs also provided timely fielding at first base over the last three innings and Sweet Katie Baker led the defense, making five plays at second base.
Purple Thunder’s starting pitcher Katia Tzec made life difficult for the Metal Lords, regularly keeping them off balance with changeups and blistering fastballs. She recorded three strikeouts and reliever Kendall Busta struck out two while recording two hits at the plate.
Alexandra Kim led the offensive charge with two hits and two RBIs and was her usual stellar self behind the plate. Chloe Dugan (triple), Tzec (base hit and RBI), Juliana Montoto (base hit and two RBIs), Allison Sullivan (base hit) and Brooklyn Nakasone (base hit and run scored) all pitched in offensively, as well, while Sullivan, Nakasone and Cha flashed their leather in the field with key, run-saving plays.
