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Tesoro softball coach Sara Higgins usually calls pitches for her teams. The former high school catcher, however, made an exception this spring that has produced impressive results.
The Titans’ first-year coach has allowed senior catcher Kennedy Proctor to call pitches for ace Loula-Rae McNamara.
“It’s hard but it’s only because it’s Kennedy,” Higgins said of relinquishing control. “Her (softball) IQ is unrivaled. She’s going Division I to the University of Utah, and there’s a reason why.”
“It’s that sensibility for the game that I have complete and utter trust for her,” the coach added. “(For other catchers), we call the game.”
Proctor’s feel for calling pitches, framing the ball around the strike zone and her connection with McNamara were on full display in Tesoro’s run to the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.
The Titans (15-4), who play host to Westlake (18-8) in the first round of the playoffs Thursday, won the South Coast League title as McNamara emerged as one of Orange County’s best pitchers. A junior committed to Boise State, McNamara takes a 14-3 record and 1.33 ERA into the postseason.
The duo’s success is about more than intellect. Proctor and McNamara lean on their connection as longtime batterymates.
They’ve been teammates as far back as recreation ball with Rancho Trabuco.
“Since we were (about) 6 years old,” McNamara estimated.
The tandem has played together almost every year since and are travel teammates on the Firecrackers’ Rico/Brashear team.
Their bond leads to extensive communication, which helps them navigate pitch selections.
“In between innings, we look and make sure that we see who’s (coming) up and then we’re like ‘This is what we’re going to do for each player,’ ” McNamara said. “Me and her just click.”
“We communicate a lot,” Proctor added. “It’s me and Loula working together.”
Tesoro reached the Division 2 semifinals last spring. The Titans, now seeded fifth, hope to make another deep run with their battery leading the way.
“They’re critical,” said Higgins, who replaced Leena Blake as the Titans’ coach. “You can’t beat that bond that they have with each other. That chemistry … you don’t find that a lot.”
MISSING ACES
The return of Fullerton’s Malaya Majam-Finch (knee) to the circle remains unclear, Indians coach Trevor Holton said.
The standout sophomore was injured in practice on April 15 and hasn’t pitched since.
“We are awaiting MRI results,” Holton said on Tuesday.
Fullerton (21-7), the Freeway League champion, opens the Division 3 playoffs Thursday by playing host to Hart (14-8). The Indians could turn to freshman pitcher Katelynn Mathews, who has nine victories.
At Aliso Niguel, Tulsa-bound pitcher Katelyn Dunakin (foot) remains out, Wolverines coach Randie Baldwin recently said.
“Huge loss but we’re fighting through it,” said Baldwin, whose team has leaned on junior pitcher Olivia Kuhnel.
Aliso Niguel (14-6-2), the third-place team from the South Coast League, plays at Foothill (11-12) in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs Thursday. The Knights, the champion of the North Hills League, won Division 4 last season.
PITCHING CHALLENGES AHEAD
The playoff schedule next week will challenge some teams with potentially three games, including the semifinals on May 11.
While coaches don’t like to look too far ahead, they’ve heard questions about how they will manage their pitching staffs with games potentially on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
In Division 1, the first round, quarterfinals and semifinals will all be played next week.
“We will find a way,” Pacifica coach Tony Arduino said of the schedule. “I am very confident in our other pitchers (after ace Brynne Nally). … If we are fortunate to get a lead, we could go to another arm in attempt to rest Brynne.”
Orange Lutheran coach Steve Miklos also expressed confidence in his ace, Brianne Weiss.
“Bri should be fine as we will (potentially) have a day between starts,” he said.
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