Five days after losing a highly-anticipated Golden Empire League matchup versus Dixon in Woodland, the Pioneer High School varsity softball team had an opportunity on Wednesday afternoon to exact revenge against its rival for the second straight year, with this time being on the road.
Junior right-handed pitcher Jia Beebe had ice in her veins this week and led the No. 16 Patriots (11-5, 6-1 GEL) to a 1-0 victory versus the No. 12 Rams (11-3, 5-1) in Solano County.
“It was a fantastic playoff environment. We finally saw what our kids could do offensively and defensively,” said coach Linda Merrida. “I think we were prepared to come to their home and for us to get a dub. We did a lot of classroom work, talking about not having patient at-bats, just staying off her riseballs and being more selective basically. I think it showed because she had 114 pitches and that’s a lot for a high school game!”
With the win, Pioneer reclaims first place in the league, half a game up on Dixon and one full game on Rio Linda (14-4, 5-2). If both one-loss teams are victorious in its respective remaining league schedules, the GEL foes will share the league championship in back-to-back seasons.
Beebe (9-4) retired the first 11 Rams without allowing a hit. She tossed a complete game shutout, pitching 7.0 innings and allowing 2 hits and 0 walks with 6 strikeouts on an efficient 77 pitches.
“That’s the best performance of her high school career,” Merrida proclaimed. “She mixed it up and kept them off balance. If they made contact, they were going to go to someone on defense. I think Ashley did a good job calling the right pitches and they only had two hits. She fielded her position really well too and also came up with a key hit that helped us get the one run. Without Jia making contact, there wouldn’t be a Cat at-bat.”
The junior flamethrower went 1-for-3 at the plate. Beebe also pitched in relief during a 24-0 victory at Mesa Verde on Monday, combining for a no-hitter with sophomore RHP Gracie McGinty.
“I think we came out with the right energy, mentality and really worked in practice on having a better mindset in the box. It felt good, they’re like our league rival, so to get the win was pretty great,” Beebe said. “I worked on my corners today and focused on that. I made sure to keep them off-balance, mix in my changeups and other pitches too.”
The Patriots left runners stranded in scoring position during each of the first two frames. The contest’s lone run came in the top of the third inning. Sophomore outfielder Sophia O’Quelly walked, followed by a Beebe single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Sophomore first baseman Caitlin Mayfield came through in the clutch, connecting on an RBI hit to left field, scoring O’Quelly.
“It was very intense. After we lost, we came out here and had to be prepared. I feel like we did good as a team, all had energy and effort, we all put in a piece and it wasn’t just one person. We did a lot better hitting this week,” Mayfield said. “I like to always win on other people’s field because it’s fun, it’s their home game. It feels good getting revenge.”
In the bottom of the sixth frame, Dixon senior second baseman Audrey Graham hit a two-out single to right field. She then attempted a steal and junior catcher Ashley Gruben quickly fired to second base where sophomore shortstop Marisa Bryson tagged out Graham, much to the dismay of Rams coaches and fans in attendance.
Dixon senior RHP Felesha Lepenske hit a missile down the left field line in the bottom of the seventh but it was snagged by junior third baseman Sofia Hernandez to prevent an extra base hit.
“She caught a hard liner that was difficult with the sun, even with sunglasses on. We know this is a sun field here too,” Merrida recalled. “She had them on top on her visor right before that first batter but she put them on and boy the ball came right to her!”
The final out was a pop up to the center field fringe, which was caught by Bryson, who collided with junior OF Abril Parker behind her and Pioneer held on for the narrow win, literally and figuratively.
“Marisa had a lot of good at-bats, she really tired the pitcher out. Jia did really good with her pitching. Ashley had a good throw down and everyone did really good,” Mayfield explained. “My first at-bat was rough but I came back and was patient so it felt pretty good to come out with a new at-bat and get a run in.”
Bryson, Hernandez and senior 2B Briana Parker respectively recorded a 1-for-3 performance. Hernandez’s double in the second inning was the Patriots’ only extra base hit on Wednesday and her 12th of the season overall.
“We really focused on having quality at-bats. Marisa had a bunch of quality at-bats, Cat drove in that run and Sof had a couple good hits too. Everyone just worked together to get the run in. Marisa played good defense today too with a couple great catches out there,” Beebe said. “We’re just trying to keep the same mentality and energy that we had in this game, remember it and keep going forward with that same energy and mentality for the rest of the season.”
Pioneer concludes the week on Friday afternoon with a non-league matchup versus Vanden (10-3) of Fairfield. The contest is a preview of a future Monticello Empire League rivalry, which Pioneer will be joining in the fall.
“We can not let down for our Friday game. Vanden is going to be another quality team,” Merrida foreshadowed. “This is why I try to schedule games so we can continue this. When you’re playing teams that can’t execute bunts, you’re not making plays and Jia is going to strike them out. But this is a different strikeout for her, it’s quality hitters. (Matt Boykin) has a veteran team with a lot of seniors who have been through the program, so it’s nice to beat them.”
GEL action continues next week with two road games. Pioneer plays at Rio Linda on Monday and on west side of town at Woodland (5-11, 3-4) on Wednesday. First pitch for each contest mentioned is at 4:30 p.m.
“We’re trying to keep it like we how we were today with energy, attitude and all be in a team effort, not just with individuals,” Mayfield declared.
