MANDARIN – Mandarin captured the 2018-2019 Gateway Conference Softball Championship by defeating First Coast 5-1.
“Tonight’s win was huge for us. We have not won this title since my freshman year,” senior Hallie Kern said. “We have had some heart breaking losses. This game was tough because they are fighters.”
The Lady Buccaneers would begin the top of the first inning up to bat, with Mandarin pitcher Ashley Wiebenga on the mound leaving dust on first base as First Coast failed to make a run.
With Paris Ragland taking over the mound for the Lady Buccaneers, Serena Hernandez, Soraya Hernandez, Sophia Davis and Sabrina Frumerie would each score runs giving Mandarin a 4-0 lead after the first inning.
Wiebenga continued to keep the Bucs off the bases in the second resulting in zero runs.
Teagan Stafford’s presence on the mound would be felt mightily as the Lady Mustangs could only muster one run as Jessica Urrutia would score the only run in the second increasing the Mustangs lead to 5-0 after two.
Tough pitching by Wiebenga and Stafford would produce no runs for either teams in the third and fourth innings.
Jasmine Miller knocked in Alyssa Julien, to cut the lead to 5-1 in the top of the fifth. Unfortunately, the single run would not provide the opportunity for First Coast to catch up to the Lady Mustangs.
Mandarin (21-1) caps the regular season with a pair of home games this week against Bolles April 24 and Creekside April 25 before getting ready fo the District 1-9A tournament next week.
“Hats off to First Coast , they brought their A-game,” Mandarin head coach Natalia Gonzalez. “We know that the road ahead is tough and won’t take anything for granted .”
