CIRCLING THE WAGONS

By Brandon Petersen

Riding the arm of their ace, Madison Mendez, and a prolific offensive attack that racked up 14 runs on the day, the Westcliff softball team found its magic Friday afternoon in a convincing sweep of La Sierra at the Great Park.

The Warriors took Game 1, 5-1, then followed up with a lopsided 9-0 sweep in the nightcap to call it a very successful day.

"Our mentality going into the series was to be all in," Westcliff head coach Brandon Wallace said. "To play for the person beside you."

The Warriors just came off of hosting one of the top teams in the nation in Georgia Gwinnett, and came away with a couple of losses, but an encouraging 1-0 finish that proved they can play with any team in the country.

Friday was a chance to do a little league damage.

Alyssa Patlan got the party started early in the first when she reached then came all the way around when Rachel Varela tripled.

In the second, Airilin Ramirez sac-flied Kayli Mueller home, and two innings later, Ramirez scored after Patlan bunted for a single and advanced on an errant throw.

In the fifth, Mueller doubled home Sydney Rucshner, then scored on an errant throw meant to throw-out Lauren Coppla, who was stealing second.

"Offensively, we knew we could beat La Sierra at the short game," Wallace said. "Which would allow us to open our long game. Defensively, we had a game plan going in and we executed as a team."

Mendez was special once again from the circle.

Westcliff's ace picked up two wins on the day, going the distance in Game 1, allowing just one earned on four hits, while collecting a pair of strikeouts.

In Game 2, Mendez went all five, allowing just three hits and no earned runs while striking out one.

"Hats off to Maddie Mendez, and Alyssa Patlan," Wallace said. "Overall, we had a great defensive and offensive day from the whole team. At the end of the say it was a truly a team effort – winning both games."

Game 2 was a bit of a laugher as the Dubs took control in the third and never looked back.

Patlan scored Coppla on a triple, then scored on a Varela double.

Iyari Ramirez chipped in a sac fly that plated Rucshner.

In the fourth, the Warriors piled on six more runs.

The usual suspects were up to their old tricks – Patlan singled, scoring Coppla, Sara Ellerton then scored Airilin Ramirez on a single and Patlan scored again on a Varela single.

Bailey Wallace scored Ellerton on a single of her own, then scored along with Varela when Iyari Ramirez sent a single up the gut.

Now the Warriors will gear up for a Sunday doubleheader, again with La Sierra, this time at Fullerton College.

First pitch is scheduled for 11 am.