University weathers the storm, Trojans take down Marquez in CIF So Cal Regional playoff

Uni pitcher Carson Cruz (left) pitches to Marquez shortstop Kamilah Amezcua Wednesday. Catcher Gidget Smith waits behind the plate. (PHOTOS: Adam Kunin, For OC Sports Zone).

After stormy weather forced a day-long pause, University High School’s softball team returned home on Wednesday to take on Marquez in a CIF So Cal Division IV Regional opening-round game. 

Under a fresh blanket of sunny, blue skies, the Trojans outdueled the Gladiators to claim a 5-3 victory and advance to the semifinal round of the regional playoffs. 

The team will now make a nearly four-hour drive north to take on Woodlake High School on Thursday. The regional finals are Saturday.

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Managing the delays and finals week has proven to be a tall task for Uni Coach Merissa Guzman and her squad. However, Guzman sees the challenge as a learning opportunity for her players. 

“It’s teaching the girls how to play through obstacles,” Guzman said. “Just like anything in life, things are going to happen not as you plan.

“Because it is finals, a lot of our girls are scholar-athletes, so they are very much wrapped around doing well on their finals. I’m trying to get them to compartmentalize, and when it’s softball time, you’re fully here. And then, you’re still going to do great in the classroom.”

The Trojans weathered the storm of adversity against Marquez, using small ball, a combination of steals and bunts, to ignite the offense early. 

“We have a lot of fast girls, so if we can get them around the bases, then that means more runs that are coming in,” Guzman said.

A sacrifice bunt from Uni second baseman Leighton Lee in the top of the second turned into two runs for University after an errant throw allowed a pair of runners to come home to score, putting the Trojans up 2-0. 

It set the tone for a solid day at the plate for Uni, who tacked on another in the fourth via an RBI single from centerfielder Maiko Shiraiwa. 

Then, it added two more in the fifth, highlighted an RBI single back up the middle off the bat of Lee. 

She credits a vivacious dugout for helping spark the team’s rallies throughout the afternoon.

“It’s mainly the energy of the whole team,” Lee said. “As long as all of us are shouting and cheering for each other in the dugout, all of us [will] keep moving on and continuing to the next play.”

In the circle, Uni starting pitcher, junior left-hander Carson Cruz, also fed off the energy provided by her teammates and the fans in attendance to piece together another stellar outing. 

Cruz went all seven innings, only allowing one earned run and striking out 10 Gladiator hitters. Once again, she worked out of a plethora of difficult situations, stranding runners on both second and third in three innings on Wednesday.

For Cruz, the crowd and her teammates provided a major boost during tense moments throughout the contest. 

“I had everyone behind me supporting me,” Cruz said. “It just pushed me through knowing that I have people behind my back that’ll ball out if I need them to.”

Many staff members, along with students and parents, came to support the Trojans and watch their historic run continue. It’s a presence that doesn’t go unnoticed by Guzman. 

“It was really cool to see all of our staff members here,” Guzman said. “I’ve been getting emails non-stop, text messages just [asking] for updates … For them to not just look at a score online or get a score from me, but actually be able to see the girls play for themselves and how great that they’re doing that’s pretty cool.”

University will now head north in hopes of continuing its deepest post season run in program history. The long road trip to Woodlake will provide the team with a bonding opportunity amid a chaotic finish to the season. 

“It is a good time to bond with the team, have fun and just make the most of the experience,” Cruz said.