On Feb. 19, the Delta softball team faced off against the West Valley Vikings on home turf.
No. 23, Bianca Quintero was first up to bat for the Mustangs, kicking off the home team’s first inning.
The Mustangs didn’t come to play or they did come to play? With No. 10, Elisa Galli pitched powerful pitches throughout the entire game making the Vikings work extra hard to get runs.
“Elisa Galli did great on the mound, pitching 14 innings. The girls came out and competed each inning. It was for sure a nail biting game.”, said Assistant Coach Vanessa Contreras.
Both teams were just warming up, waiting to make moves during the first few minutes of the game with zero runs. With players on the second and third bases during the second the pressure was on for the Mustangs but the team came through leaving the Vikings with zero runs.
Both the Mustangs and Vikings struggled to put any runs on the scoreboard during the third inning but that would be just the beginning of what would be a close game.
Tensions were high during the fourth with a West Valley Viking on third base about to make it home and another on first.
The Mustangs played defensively trying to get both Vikings out but couldn’t manage, allowing two runs during the fourth for West Valley.
With No. 6, Daniella Hunter, No. 16, Ava Pannell on the second and third base it looked like there would be a chance to make this a tied game with Nov. 17 Kiana “KiKi” Mazza up to bat allowing her teammates the chance to make a run, tying the score 2-2.
With the West Valley Vikings striking out in the fifth, the Mustangs tried to get an advantage.
By the end of the fifth Delta succeeded with No. 14, Rachael Symoungkhoune getting a run, bringing the score to 3-2.
This advantage didn’t last long. The Vikings managed to hit a homerun out of the field and another run seconds after during the sixth inning, shortly after the Mustangs scored, bringing the score to 4-3
In the seventh, Delta’s No. 11, Bristles Tollison made it from first base all the way home.
Tensions were higher than ever during this game with the teams tied at 4-4, during the seventh and usually last inning, having to do extra innings.
“We had quality at bats and good defense even though it didn’t end with a W, the girls preserved and showed they could compete. Continuing to focus on having quality at bats, seeing the ball well, and making routine plays. This group of girls definitely has the talent, personalities, and work ethic it takes to go all the way to the state tournament. One pitch at a time, one hit at a time, each game we continue to learn more about this group and what they are capable of,” said Contreras.
