Woodbridge softball team rolls past Beckman and inches closer to PCL title

Woodbridge High School’s softball team took a major step toward capturing the Pacific Coast League title with a 13-2 victory over Beckman Monday at Lower Peters Canyon Park in a game called after five innings due to the run rule.

Woodbridge (9-5-1 overall) won its seventh in a row in league play without a loss.

“The win vs. Beckman puts the Warriors in a good position as everyone heads down the final stretch of the league season,” said Woodbridge Coach Jerry Rose. “The Warriors league record (is) at 7-0 with five remaining against, Laguna Hills, Northwood, Portola, Irvine and Uni to end the season. 

“The win puts the Warriors on solid ground to control their own destiny for a league title. It’s definitely gauntlet down the stretch as everyone is making up games in a hurry due to a rain filled spring.  Like everyone, the Warriors starting last Wednesday, April 12 will be playing nine games in 15 days.” 

Sophomore Mia Tamkoc was the winning pitcher Monday, allowing only two runs over five innings.

Woodbridge scored eight runs in the third inning to take an 8-1 lead.

“A big highlight was by sophomore Abbie Cronn who just missed a home run in the fourth,” Rose said. “Abbie was down in the count 1-2 and got hold of a pitch on the outside corner for a deep, high drive to right center that ended up bouncing out of play for a ground rule double. 

“Senior Ariel Cardenas sparked the defense in the first inning throwing a Beckman batter out at second on a hit to left field. Ariel threw out the batter trying to stretch it into a double. Junior second baseman Senna Yamamoto made a nice tag to complete the out off the throw. Ariel followed that up later in the game chasing down a hit over her head into left center and catching it on the run, over her shoulder.”

Rose said that Tamkoc “pitched an incredible game. She was dealing with a slightly tight strike zone and continuously navigating with deftness and precision.”

Woodbridge returns to action Tuesday evening hosting Laguna Hills at 5 p.m. at Bill Barber Park. The team’s seniors will be honored at 4:30 p.m. 

“The schedule seems to meld with the Warriors love of just playing softball,” Rose said. “The team has hit its stride with 27 runs scored over the last three games. A league title at this point is definitely a possibility.” 

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