Los Alamitos softball rallies to knock off Norco in early-season showdown

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LOS ALAMITOS – The challenges seemed to be mounting against the Los Alamitos softball team on Tuesday, March 23.

The Griffins trailed 2019 national champion Norco by four runs after the visitors belted three consecutive home runs. The Cougars, ranked fifth in the nation, also had Oregon-committed ace Stevie Hansen in the circle.

“I wasn’t feel great obviously,” veteran Los Alamitos coach Rob Weil said, “but I still felt confident.”

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    Jules Ronquillo (8) and Giselle Alvarez (44) of Los Alamitos high-five after Ronquillo scored in a game against Norco during a game at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Mya Perez (24) of Norco smiles as she rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Los Alamitos in a game at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Mackenzie Ficke (12) of Los Alamitos pitches against Norco in a game at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Erin Mendoza (3) of Los Alamitos watches the ball after a hit during a game against Norco at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Stevie Hansen (00) of Norco pitches against Los Alamitos in a game at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Jules Ronquillo (8)of Los Alamitos catches a fly ball in left field for the third out ending the chance for Norco to score during a game at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Erin Mendoza (3) and Emma Sellers (34) of Los Alamitos react after Mendoza scored in a game against Norco at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Mya Perez (24), right, of Norco is congratulated by her teammates after she hit a home run against Los Alamitos in a game at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Katie Terrazas (22) of Norco takes her foot off the bag to catch a high throw to first base allowing Jazzy Santos (22) of Los Alamitos to be called safe in a game at Los Alamitos High in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Los Alamitos, ranked eighth in the nation by MaxPreps, showed its resiliency by scoring eight consecutive runs to rally for an 8-4 victory in the Savanna Showcase.

“We have a lot of character and don’t count us out until its over because this team is not going to quit,” Weil said. “We got a lot of seasoned kids.”

Senior pitcher Mack Ficke pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the biggest victory of her high school career while third baseman Giselle Alvarez drove in four RBIs in the clash of nationally ranked teams.

After Norco’s Mya Perez, Alyssa Hovermale and Katie Terrazas belted back-to-back-to-back home runs to give Norco a 4-0 lead, Weil inserted Ficke with one out in the third inning and the bases empty. Ficke responded by allowing only two hits and striking out seven en route to her first victory of the young season.

“She hit some key spots,” Weil said of Ficke. “Biggest win of her career.”

Los Al’s ⭐⭐Birthday girl Giselle Alvarez, left, w/ 4 RBI and senior pitcher Mack Ficke w/ biggest win of her HS career @LosAl_Softball @LosalLocos fun game courtesy Savanna Showcase @SavRebels ?? pic.twitter.com/swnY79xG5x

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) March 24, 2021

Los Alamitos’ Erin Mendoza drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth. After being pinch-hit for in the third inning, the Oregon State-bound senior singled into left to give the Griffins a 5-4 lead.

“She didn’t get down on herself,” Weil said of the center fielder. “She’s a team player.”

Alvarez, who celebrated her 16th birthday Tuesday, followed with a two-run single to extend the lead to 7-4. Senior shortstop Emma Sellers capped the four-run sixth with an RBI single.

“It was exciting,” Alvarez said of the rally. “We’re just hungry. We want it.”

Los Alamitos (3-0) answered Norco’s home run display by scoring three runs in the third. Oklahoma-bound catcher Sophia Nugent sparked the surge with a RBI double and Alvarez followed two batters later with a two-run double.

First baseman Taylor Johnon tied the score at 4-4 with a RBI double in the fourth. Her hit arrived shortly after Los Alamitos right fielder Diamond Sefe made a diving catch to end a Norco threat in the top of the inning. Nugent appeared to throw out a base stealer at second but the out call was reversed by the home plate ump, but Los Alamitos escaped with Sefe’s diving catch.

Hansen (1-1) finished with seven strikeouts for Norco (1-1).

What a comeback for ⁦@LosAl_Softball⁩, Griffins win 8-4 over Norco, recover from 3 straight HRs ⁦@ocvarsity⁩ ⁦@CallMeEPJ⁩ pic.twitter.com/OSHgtSiAk5

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) March 24, 2021

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