Sophomore shortstop Sharon Duncan homered in the 10th inning and Emily Gomez fired a two-hitter as visiting Esperanza High upset nationally No. 1-ranked Chino Hills 3-2 in a nonleague softball game Thursday, March 25.
Duncan led off the 10th by belting an 0-2 pitch to center for a home run to give the Aztecs (2-0), ranked ninth in Orange County, a 3-2 lead against the top-ranked team in the nation according to MaxPreps.
In the bottom of the 10th, Gomez forced three pop ups to earn a memorable victory. The senior, who allowed two runs on two solo home runs, is planning to pursue a pre-medicine route in college instead of playing softball. She struck out five and walked three to out-duel Nebraska-bound Kendall Mangel, who struck out 10.
“I knew we had all the pieces to compete with the best,” Esperanza coach Ed Tunsstall said. “Today, those pieces came together with heart and guts. I’m very proud of them.”
Oklahoma-bound senior center fielder Hannah Coor was among the key pieces with two hits.
Third baseman Sabrina Seaton homered to center in the second on an 0-2 count for a 1-0 lead.
Freshman Taylor Shumaker led off the third with a double, stole third and scored on a wild pitch for a 2-1 lead.
Chino Hills (0-1) tied the score 2-2 in the fourth, setting the stage for five scoreless innings and the dramatic 10th. Esperanza turned two double plays on the way to the 10th and received a key strikeout by Gomez to end the eighth.
Chino Hills plays at Norco on Friday, March 25.
Please send softball news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com
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