Gilbert softball doubles up Red Mtn. in extra innings, 12-6

February 28, 2012 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Marisa Stankiewicz  was the perfect example Tuesday of why softball (or baseball) players can't afford to dwell on one particular moment  in a game -- good or bad.

Stankiewicz endured the highs and lows of visiting Gilbert High's 12-6, nine-inning victory over defending big-school champion Red Mountain by ending with a high -- a two-run single  that broke a tie and steered the visiting Tigers to the winning six--run rally.

Stankiewicz, one of four returning starters for Gilbert from last year's final four 5A-I team, singled up the middle with the bases loaded for her only hit of the game in the ninth to snap a 6-6 tie. Stankiewicz had a chance to give Gilbert  (7-1) the lead in the top of the seventh with the winning run at second, but flied out to left.

Then in the bottom of the seventh she moved from third base to catcher. Gilbert was one out away from victory when Stankiewicz's passed ball allowed Red Mountain to plate the tying run and force extra innings.

Two innings earlier playing third base, Stankiewicz made the defensive play of the game spearing a wicked line drive off the bat of Red Mountain's Bri Gonzales and turning it into an inning-ending double play.

"I prefer to play third base, but I catch when Taylor pitches," Stankiewicz said. "I wasn't happy about it (passed ball). The good thing is we got another chance to come back. They weren't able to beat us that inning. When I got to bat the next time I was just looking to hit it somewhere and score a run."

Stankiewicz's hit in the ninth was the third of the inning. In all the Tigers collected seven hits that  frame and finished  with 17. That rally was more than enough for Taylor McCord to record the win in relief of freshman starter Lynsey Duncan. McCord pitched three innings and allowed one unearned run with three strikeouts.

"This was a good win because it was a very intense game," Gilbert coach Shaundra Gutierrez said. "This is our only game this week.  I'm glad. We need time to practice and work on some things."

Newcomers to Gilbert's lineup enjoyed good games at the plate. Sophomore leadoff hitter Alex Astorga had three hits -- two in the ninth inning. The first led off the rally and the last capped it (a two-run double). Freshman Dani Bartholf had four hits and McCord checked in with three.

Red Mountain, which won six of seven games it played last week in its tournament, dropped to 6-2. Coach Rich Hamilton was pleased his team showed the ability to come back (Red Mountain trailed 6-1 in the fourth inning), but  was more concerned with defensive deficiencies that plagued his team. Red Mountain made three errors -- all in the middle innings when Gilbert put together a pair of three-run rallies. Those innings would have been  tamer without the miscues. The Mountain Lions also failed to make several other plays with late throws.

"We can't keep having pressure put us with the errors we're making," Hamilton said. "It's something we have to correct. We did come back and had a chance, several chances to win the game late. The last inning was the snowball rolling-down-the-hill thing. That could have been an inning we had when (Stankiewicz) made that great play."

Haley Culley and Sierra Phillips led Red Mountain with two hits apiece.