LAKE ELSINORE – Early in 2023 the Temescal Canyon softball team showed a penchant for dramatic wins, recording two walk offs earlier this season against Vista Murrieta and Hemet.
That’s why Riverside Poly coach Robert Sakaguchi took comfort in a fifth inning solo home run from Emilie Castillo to the deepest part of center field with his team holding a 2-0 lead. As it was, the extra run wasn’t needed with Bears starting pitcher Miranda De Nava’s ability to consistently work out of trouble against a Titans lineup that averaged 9.2 runs per game.
De Nava scattered five hits, struck out four, walked five and hit two but did not allow a run against Temescal Canyon in a 3-0 victory on Tuesday afternoon in Lake Elsinore.
For the Titans it was a game of missed opportunities as they had a runner or runners aboard in six of seven innings but failed to capitalize, stranding 12 and having another thrown out at home.
“I trust this defense to make plays behind me because I know there are going to be days where I don’t rack up the strikeouts and the ball is put into play,” De Nava said. “It’s been tough to find a rhythm this year with all the rainouts but I know this team will have my back, good day or bad.”
In the second inning Temescal Canyon loaded the bases with two outs on a hit batter, Marissa Sanchez’ single to right field and a walk from Natalie Castro before De Nava struck out Mya Tucker to escape trouble. The Titans again loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning as De Nava hit Sanchez with a pitch and then allowed walks to both Tucker and Castro before striking out Mary Cabrera to end the inning.
By the seventh inning Temescal Canyon had two on with one out on Xiane Romero’s single and a walk from Violet Garcia before Jessenia Moore ended the game with another popup. Also, in the fifth Cabrera led off with a double to straight away center field that hit the upper portion of the fence but was called out trying to score as Romero reached on a misplayed fly ball in right field and Garcia flew out to left field.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen live pitching with the rainout situation, but we’ve got to be able to make adjustments and unfortunately today we weren’t able to do that against her (De Nava’s) riseball,” Titans coach Sarah Kretschmar said. “I thought both of our pitchers threw a good game as Poly didn’t square up too many balls, but they did get the biggest hit of the game in that home run.”
Poly got two runs in the top of the fourth as De Nava led off with a single to left field, swinging on the first pitch and Castillo walked. After a sacrifice bunt, Reina Gonzalez scored the game’s first run on an RBI groundout and the other scored as Corina James recorded an RBI infield single.
Temescal Canyon (10-2-1, 1-1) will host Heritage on Thursday afternoon while Poly (13-0-1, 1-0) is at Valley View.
WP: Miranda De Nava – CG, 5 hits, 4 K’s, 5 BBs, 2 HBP and 0 Runs
LP: Garcia, Violet – 5+ IP, 5 hits, 1 K, 4 BB’s, 2 HBP and 3 runs
Leading Hitter: Cabrera (TC) 2-4
HR: Castillo, Emilie (Poly-1)
Derryl Trujillo can be reached at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.
