Godinez High’s softball players, including Natalie Carlos (No. 47) are looking forward to the CIF finals. (File photo courtesy Harrison Zhang, For OC Sports Zone).
Godinez High’s softball team has reached its goal: to make it all the way to the CIF Division 4 championship game.
Now, the second seeded Grizzlies (25-4) will be out to close the deal Saturday at 9:30 a.m. when they face El Segundo (25-6) at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.
There has been a lot of talk and excitement on campus this week about a team that has represented Santa Ana well and has already made history.
“It has been unbelievable, I didn’t realize that we were the first team from the district that had made the (softball) championship game,” said Godinez Coach Edward Medina. “And everybody is up and ready for the game. I think there were a lot of people going and we’re looking forward to it. It’s going to be an absolutely awesome experience for these young ladies.”
Medina said El Segundo is a talented team.
“They’ve battled some good teams and they’ve found a way to win,” he said. “They’re definitely a solid team and if you make a mistake, they pounce on you. Their pitching is excellent and they don’t make mistakes and when you make that little mistake, they make you pay.”
Godinez is led by by pitcher Natalie Carlos, who has had four victories on the mound in the playoffs and also had two home runs in the 5-0 semifinal victory over Culver City on Tuesday. Carlos (16-1 this year) has notched four playoff victories and on the season, she’s belted 10 home runs.
In addition, two sisters senior Keana Pola (.459 batting average) and sophomore Savannah Pola (.585) have made big contributions offensively and defensively.
“The Pola sisters are the key to this,” Medina said. “They’ve come from a background of discipline and they understand what hard work is on the field and in the classroom. And I’ve got some great kids, a set of twins Airlin (a third baseman and pitcher who has a 9-3 record) and Iyari Ramirez (a catcher and third baseman) and they’re solid players.
“I have a young sophomore Mia Saucedo who plays left field and I’m looking for good things for her in the next couple of years. And I have another freshman Liana Gonzalez, who is our backup catcher and plays right field.”
Medina said the Godinez players will arrive at Bill Barber Park about 7:45 a.m. in preparation for the early game.
“All this is a new experience for the girls and myself,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it, I’m excited. I probably won’t sleep tonight because I’ve been on pins and needles since this whole thing started and we’ve had this run with the great kids we have.”
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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