EIGHT STRAIGHT

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff softball team wrapped up its regular season in style Saturday at the Great Park, celebrating both a dominant winning streak and the careers of seven graduating seniors.

The Warriors extended their win streak to eight games with a sweep of Grace, taking Game 1, 8-0, and Game 2, 6-2.

The team honored seniors Airilin and Iyari Ramirez, Alyssa Vigil, Siana San Vicente, Lauren Coppla, Jessalyn Villicana, and the Coach's daughter – Bailey Wallace.

"It was a short time for me, coming in and getting to know this senior class," head coach Brandon Wallace said. "But I just wanted to make the most of the time I had with them—they're awesome.

"The twins, Airilin and Iyari, are just great human beings with such passion for the game. Alyssa Vigil had a rough start here, but she came in, trusted the process, worked hard, and adapted to a new role this year. She kept her head up the whole way—she's an absolute joy to be around."

The seniors delivered in Game 1.

Coppla opened the game in her trademark fashion—bunting on, stealing second, and coming around to score. She finished with two hits and two runs scored.

San Vicente went 2-for-3, scoring twice and driving in one—Coppla—in the second.

"Siana's been through a lot," Wallace said. "I'll miss the road trips with her. She was always my navigator whenever I got lost in the vans. Just an awesome kid.

"Then you have Lauren and Jessalyn, and I mention them together because they're best friends. Jessalyn, nearly a 4.0 student, and we bonded through her dedication to academics. And Lauren—there's just so much to say about her. I'm going to miss that kid a lot."

Airilin Ramirez contributed a run batted in and scored twice, while her sister Iyari drove in two.

Wallace, fresh off Thursday's sweep of Hope where she drove in and scored the winning run, kept it going with a towering sac fly in Game 1 that scored San Vicente to make it 7-0. She followed that with a two-run double to open scoring in Game 2.

"I got a little emotional on the way over here," Wallace said. "Watching your own kid go through the highs and lows—knowing she's been battling a back issue—and then to see her finish the season strong? I'm going to miss her.

"We'll miss her presence on the field, her leadership—but it was an honor to coach her one last time.

"I love this senior class. I'm going to miss them."

Vigil made it 8-0 in Game 1 by scoring on an Airilin Ramirez double.

Madison Mendez earned the Game 1 win, with Avery Mytnik coming in for the fourth and delivering a lights-out relief performance—striking out two and allowing just one hit.

Mendez went the distance in Game 2, scattering eight hits over seven innings while striking out five.

Airilin Ramirez and Alyssa Patlan each collected two hits in the nightcap, with Patlan adding two RBIs. Vigil (double) and San Vicente also drove in runs.

"We're a great team, and we're a great program," Wallace said. "And we're not stopping here. Come September, we're going to work even harder. Our eyes are on the prize for next year.

"This was just the beginning."