Dos Pueblos softball erupted in the late innings to earn a 17-4 comeback win over Santa Clara in a non-league matchup on Monday in Oxnard.
The Chargers found themselves trailing 4-1 after five innings, but they exploded for nine runs in the sixth and added seven more in the seventh to pull away for the victory.
After Santa Clara scored three runs in the third, Dos Pueblos made it 3-1 in the fourth on an RBI double by Zella Cassidy. However, Santa Clara got that run right back in the bottom of the fourth.
After a scoreless fifth, the Chargers sent nine batters to the plate before recording a single out in the sixth to take the lead and pull away for a 10-4 advantage. Anastasia Brunner and Kacey Hurley each homered in the inning.
The bats stayed hot in the seventh, with Brunner driving in her fourth and fifth RBIs of the day with a two-run double to help her team balloon its lead to 17-4.
“This was really a tale of two games,” Dos Pueblos head coach Mike Gerken said. “Their starting pitcher is very, very good. We had our backs against the wall and were looking to fight our way out of it.
“We were a little disappointed to see her leave the game, but that was not our call, and we took advantage of the opportunity they presented us. I am proud that we were patient at the plate and took good swings at good pitches. I appreciate our focus throughout the game.”
Dos Pueblos totaled 17 hits in the win, with Brunner, Cassidy and Emily Morici all going 3-for-5, while Julianna Brunner went 3-for-4.
Anastasia Brunner’s five RBI and three runs scored led the team, while Cassidy also drove in three runs and scored twice. Julianna Brunner drove in a pair and scored twice as well, while Hurley went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Julianna Brunner got the start and tossed four innings before handing the ball over to Morici, who struck out eight and did not allow a hit in three scoreless innings of work.
“Our pitchers, Julianna and Emily, are doing a great job complimenting each other,” Gerken said. “Between the two, we are not giving up very many hits per game. When we do, our defense has been able to keep us away from big innings. I like the way we are progressing this early in the season.”