Heralds triumph over La Habra

By Josh Lowden

(La Habra) –Led by freshman Melissa Martene’s three RBIs, the Whittier Christian Heralds were able to comeback from a three-run deficit in the fifth inning to defeat La Habra, 6-4.

After three scoreless innings, bats came alive in the fourth inning.  Highlanders Julie Talancon connected with a Bekah Kikuchi pitch and hit it to right field for a double.  Torey Milan would get an RBI for the game’s first run, batting in Talancon with a double of her own.

The Heralds had their answer. Katelyn Wagner was walked; Kikuchi hit a beautiful single to give the Heralds two-base runners. After a La Habra error, Martene recorded her first RBI with a single to center.

Fifth inning proved to be huge for both teams; ultimately become the deciding factor.  After Cami Jacobs advanced to first on an error, the Highlanders connected on a slew of hits, Maleena Esparza and Shanin Thomas singled and Chelsea Sciacca and Talancon doubled. Jacobs was batted in by Thomas. Esparza and Thomas scored from Talancon’s double.

Whittier Christian answered with two outs. Kikuchi advanced to first on error to begin the rally. Richelle Coberly and Mandie Perez each doubled. Perez’s double scored Kikuchi and Coberly. Perez scored on a La Habra error.

Wagner kept the inning alive with a single to right field.

A pitching change didn’t help the Highlanders. Wagner became the beneficiary of two pass balls after Kayla Klein relieved Cioclatto. Kikuchi eventually found her way to first with a walk.

A clutch single to right by Martene scored Wagner and Lauren Macias (courtesy-runner for Kikuchi) giving the Heralds the lead.

“Every time we came back, our freshmen came and rallied for us,” said Heralds head coach Dale Van Duyn. “They really stepped up.”

Whittier Christian will host La Serna in non-league action Thursday.

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