PHOTOS: East and West teams deliver thrilling finish to OC All-Star softball doubleheader

Players and coaches from the second all-star game between the East and the West after the game. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

In the second game of the Orange County Coaches Senior All-Star Softball Classic doubleheader Wednesday night, the East and West teams delivered some late-night fireworks at Deanna Manning Stadium. 

After a pitching duel in game one of the two-game set, a 3-0 win for the South over the North, game two had an emphasis on offense.

The East and West squads combined to score 14 runs, ending the six-inning game in a 7-7 tie. 

The night culminated in dramatic fashion, as the East, which was down to its final out, rallied back from down 7-6 in the final inning to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

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Mater Dei outfielder Sophia Rolon scored the game-tying run after starting the final frame off with a leadoff double. A fielder’s choice and some defensive miscues allowed her to to score.

Rolon finished with a pair of hits on the night, including a single that helped spring a four-run inning for the East in the bottom of the third inning, which gave it a 5-4 lead despite falling behind 4-0 early. 

Payton Harris (Woodbridge) and Victoria Oropeza (Canyon) also had singles, Abby Sasaki (Irvine) had a two-run single and Jocelyn Toledo (Mater Dei) an RBI single in the inning.

The East inched closer with a run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Monica Garcia (El Modena).

The West scored four runs in the first inning to take the lead. Mikala Bishop (Cypress) led off with a double, Cienna Kowaleski (Los Alamitos) had an RBI single and Jaden Fraser (Segerstrom) had an RBI single with another run scoring on an error. There was also a walk and a hit batter in the inning.

The West’s Sophia Hannappel (Edison) and Kalie Matsuno (Los Alamitos) each scored twice in 1 for 2 performances at the plate. 

“I just thought that this is my last time [that] I’m going to be able to play with some of my friends,” Hannappel said. “Why not just be aggressive? I have nothing to lose.”

She contributed to a three-run frame in the top of the fourth for the West, which helped the squad regain a 7-5 lead. 

Although her team couldn’t hold on late, Hannappel still enjoyed getting to suit up against some familiar faces from around Orange County. 

“It was a lot of fun,” Hannappel said. “I know a lot of these girls, and I get to play against all in league, so it was cool just coming together and representing all of our schools for one last time.”

Following the game, coaches from both sides also expressed their enjoyment of the experience, having had the opportunity to see some of OC’s top softball talent. The games were presented by Premier Girls Fastpitch.

“It’s always special to have the seniors out here and give them their goodbye,” Marina co-head coach Dan Hay said. “And honor the ones that really made this sport special the last four years on the high school level.”

For Hay, who’s sustained a 19-year career as a coach and now maintains the role of co-coach at Marina, the night held some extra importance. 

In between the first and second game, the OC Softball Hall of Fame honored Hay, along with many others, by inducting him into its 2025 class. Marina co-coach, fellow Hall of Famer Shelly Luth, presented him with a trophy of recognition. 

“I’ve known her (Luth) for years,” Hay said. “To be able to coach with her has been an honor. And to be out here on the All-Star field with (Los Alamitos coaches) Rob (Weil) and Janet (Fettig), who I’ve known for 30 years, they’re all like family to me.”

Many family members, close friends and even Marina players came out to celebrate Hay, who has remained entrenched in the Orange County softball community for many years. It’s a presence that didn’t go unnoticed by the coach, who says that it’s what he will remember most from the night. 

“[I’ll remember] more than my family was here,” Hay said. “I’ve got 11 grandkids, and they’re all playing softball or baseball. To be able to share it with my fellow coaches … It’s a special night for me. It’s a long career and I’m very humbled by it.”

One of the East coaches, Woodbridge’s Jerry Rose, was also excited to participate in the event.

“It was fun and exciting, I haven’t been involved in the game since probably 2018,” Rose said. “It was nice to get back out on the field, it was nice to see the girls in this environment. They’re just having a blast together, so many of them play against and with each other in travel ball and then in the high school level against each other constantly, but to see them be teammates for a night ….. it was nothing but energy the whole game.”

“I was just trying to stay calm and not think about anything …. and look for a good pitch,” added Sasaki of Irvine, who is headed to University of Hawaii to play softball. “And I got that and swung, and that’s that. This game was a privilege and I’m so blessed to be in it and it was so fun to play with some top players and I will never forget this experience.”

Woodbridge pitcher Mia Tamkoc, who is headed for Southern Utah University, kept the East team close pitching a scoreless sixth inning.

“I felt very honored and I had a lot of fun tonight,” said Tamkoc. “I knew it was a close game the entire game and warming up I knew I had to be on my A game to keep us in it.”

Rose was excited that Tamkoc could finish the pitching duties on the Woodbridge home field.

“We almost walked it off and almost got the win for Mia,” Rose said. “That would have been a great way to finish it for her, it was funny when I told her before the game she was pitching the sixth, she kind of looked at me. I said, it just worked out that you get to play on your home field and be the final pitcher. I said, ‘let’s see if this works,’ and it almost worked for a win for her. She pitched really strong in there.”

Tim Burt of OC Sports Zone contributed to this story.

VIDEO: Check out video highlights and interviews on X by Adam Kunin of OC Sports Zone.