Cap offense comes alive late in win over Aragon

Hannan was also fully alive at bat, going 3 for 4 with two singles and an extremely deep ground-rule double in the fifth that gave the Mustangs (3-3 Bay Division, 8-7 overall) their first two runs.

"Rox rocks," said Capuchino catcher Laura Leahy, who had a good day herself as she drove in her team's two other runs in the sixth.

Hannan and Aragon starting pitcher Nina Campos started the game - played at Aragon - on a fairly even footing. Campos gave up a lead-off hit to Hannan in the first, but settled in afterward to hold the Mustangs hitless until the fourth.

While the two pitchers were dueling, key defensive plays, especially on the Capuchino side, were helping to keep the bases clear. Mustangs first baseman Kim Welch in particular showed herself to be extremely flexible, stretching as far as she could in the third and fourth innings while keeping her foot on the bag to receive throws for the out.

"I didn't want to have to run after it," said Welch, who has performed a similar stretch 10 to 15 times so far this season.

Capuchino finally broke the ice in the fifth. After Welch got on with a single, she was advanced to second on a quick bunt by Jen Broock, who was safe at first, just ahead of the throw. Leahy advanced both with a sacrifice bunt, Jaymie Byron was walked to load the bases and Hannan then crushed her ground-rule double to put the Mustangs up 2-0.

The Mustangs found home plate again in the next inning even as they faced a new pitcher. With Aragon's Kelly Potter in the circle and two out, a walk and single put Welch and Broock on second and first, respectively. Leahy came to bat and, on a 1-2 pitch, slammed a deep shot that cleared the bases. As Leahy rounded second, however, she pulled a muscle in her leg, which led to her being thrown out at third as she hobbled in trying for a triple.

"I wanted to prove myself in the lineup," said Leahy, who had been replaced by a designated hitter over the last few games.

Hannan saw herself get into some trouble in the bottom of the seventh. After Aragon's Diana DiMatteo got on base with a lead-off single, Hannan managed to retire the next two batters before facing Amanda Ryder. With DiMatteo now on third, Ryder lined a single to bring in the runner and put Aragon (2-4, 5-7) on the board.

Hannan wrapped up the game afterward, getting the next Aragon batter to ground out.

"I definitely was trying to hit my spots," said Hannan. "The best thing I like [about softball] is being with my girls. I love playing this game."

"They played much different from last week," said Capuchino head coach Marty Jenkins as he commented on his team's win. "I felt their intensity and drive was there. They were a lot more focused."

"Roxanne has been throwing absolutely amazing the last three starts," added Jenkins.

On the Aragon side, head coach Dave DiMatteo said his girls had had a hard time finding holes to hit into.

"We hit the ball better [from last week]," said DiMatteo. "We are not hitting hard enough though."