Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
El Modena’s softball team overcame more than a talented field of competitors to capture the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions for the first time.
The Vanguards prevailed in Bullhead City, Ariz., on Saturday after facing two waves of adversity.
In the September, the mother of shortstop Kylie Tafua (Oregon commit) died from lung cancer. And in the second game of the season, Kansas-committed center fielder Jocelyn Alatorre suffered a dislocated knee in a collision with a teammate in the outfield.
“Life has really hit us hard and hit our community hard, and we’re getting through this all together,” El Modena coach Bobby Calderon said Monday. “We know we got great people surrounding us.”
“We wish we had Jocelyn (playing),” the coach added, “but I think her absence has really kind of galvanized our team because all of our girls know that they all have to contribute to fill that void. “(Tafua) is going to get going here and look out when that arrives.”
El Modena (7-1) celebrated a 5-4 win against Norco in the championship game by jumping around pitcher Sara Pinedo after the senior struck out the final batter with the tying run on first base.
The Vanguards, who moved to No. 1 in the Orange County rankings this week, finished the tournament 5-0. They edged previously No. 1 Canyon 2-1 in the quarterfinals and defeated Norco for the first time under Calderon, in his ninth season.
“To be able to accomplish things like we have,” Calderon said, “when we feel like we’re probably not completely 100 percent, really does speak volumes for what kind of club and what kind of teammates we have.”
“The biggest thing is we try to develop a culture of community and family,” he added. “That’s exactly how we’ve been able to get through.”
El Modena also is developing players.
First baseman Lucy Mitchell and catcher Parker Mayes — both sophomores — have been breakout performers after playing JV last season. Mayes hit a two-run home run against Norco while Mitchell had the go-ahead RBI.
Calderon’s daughter Hallie, a sophomore third baseman, also played JV last season.
The list of rising players includes pitcher Ashley Driskill and outfielders Ava Savala and Jillian Alvarado. All three are juniors.
Driskill started against Canyon and Norco. Savala has shifted to center field and hit a two-run home run against Norco. Calderon said Alvarado also has “stepped up big time” by moving to the leadoff position.
“We still know it’s early March,” Calderon cautioned. “We got a long way to go.”
GAMES OF THE WEEK
On Thursday at 6 p.m., La Mirada plays host to No. 10 Fullerton and will dedicate its field to alumnus and two-time Olympian Jennie Finch, who is expected to attend the game. Finch’s niece, Malaya Majam-Finch, will start in the circle for Fullerton. …
On Friday, El Modena plays host to No. 6 JSerra at 3:30 p.m.