Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

Only resilient teams and players can survive the Crestview League’s playoff race in softball.

Canyon proved that again on Wednesday by rallying past visiting Pacifica 5-4 to prevent the Mariners from clinching at least a share of the league championship.

Irma Urincho belted a go-ahead, three-run home run in the fifth inning to help lift the Comanches (19-8, 6-5), who lead Cypress (16-9, 4-5) by one game for third place.

Jordan Simmons allowed an unearned run in three innings of relief for starter Bella Settembro to earn the victory. Simmons bounced back after surrendering five runs in the first inning in a loss against Cypress on Tuesday.

“That’s how it goes,” said Simmons, a senior who is committed to Brown. “This whole season has been just turn the page. What’s next? We can’t change the past. We’re all kind of even (in league). It’s rough. It’s tough.”

“It’s good competition,” the left-handed pitcher added. “That’s what I’m grateful for. It keeps it interesting.”

Pacifica (15-9, 7-3), ranked No. 4 in Orange County this week, can clinch at least a share of the league title with a win against second-place El Modena (17-7, 6-4) on Thursday.

“We’re still in the driver’s seat with two games to play,” Pacifica coach Tony Arduino said. “In this league, it’s a dogfight. Any team on any day can win.”

“We had an inning where we gave them too many outs and they took advantage of it,” the coach added. “We got to focus on the first pitch tomorrow. That’s all I told our team. ‘We know what we did wrong today. Let’s come out tomorrow, turn the page … and let’s go back to work.’ “

Canyon, which is ranked fifth in the county, trailed 4-1 going into the bottom of the fifth.

Mia Saenz led off with a double to right that was almost caught near the fence. She scored one batter later on a double by fellow junior Maya Valenzuela (3 for 4).

Valenzuela then beat a throw to third base on a shallow single to center by Jade Diaz. Urincho launched a 2-2 pitch over the fence in center with one out for a 5-4 lead.

The BYU committed first baseman connected on her eighth home run after striking out twice earlier against starter Ellena Ediss.

“We were just there for each other,” said Urincho, who also hit a game-winning, three-run home run against Murrieta Mesa earlier this season. “(Assistant) coach Ken (Price), he came up to me and said, ‘Next at-bat, you’re going to get it. Just trust in yourself.’ “

Pacifica took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run home run by Arianna Salas. Catcher Catherine Benitez added a solo home run in the fifth to give the Mariners a 3-1 lead.

Settembro and Simmons, however, held Pacifica to only three hits.

“We knew how important this game was,” Comanches coach Jess Carbajal said. “Right now, all I care about is how we get into CIF.”

Canyon closes league by playing host to Esperanza on Tuesday.

In other games:

In the Pacific Coast League:

Rosary 11, Northwood 1: Jenna Caldera and Hayden Huerta each went 4 for 4 and scored four runs to lead the No. 1 Royals (24-2-1, 9-0) to a 15th consecutive victory.

In the Empire League:

Fullerton 10, Ocean View 0 (6): Sophomore Katelynn Mathews threw a six-inning perfect game with 17 strikeouts for the Indians (19-7, 2-0). She recorded one out on a grounder and struck out 14 consecutive batters during one stretch.

In the Sea View League:

San Clemente 6, Trabuco Hills 0: Emily Racine hit a home run and pitched a shutout to lead the Tritons (19-7-1, 4-2), who are tied for first with Beckman (16-7, 4-2).

In nonleague:

Orange Lutheran 9, Los Alamitos 2: Rylee Silva and Jo Marsh each threw three scoreless innings and Kai Minor hit a two-run home run for the No. 2 Lancers (22-3).

Related Articles