LOS ALAMITOS >> Taylor Johnson delivered the first big blow — a grand slam in the first inning — of the Los Alamitos softball team’s nonleague game against La Habra on Monday at Los Alamitos High School.
Diamond Sefe followed with a two-run homer in the second, and the Griffins went on to a 10-0 victory over the Highlanders.
With the 10-run lead, the mercy rule was invoked, ending the contest after La Habra’s at-bat in the fifth inning.
Since hitting in key situations had been an issue for Los Alamitos (4-2) heading into the contest, Griffins coach Rob Weil was pleased to see the offensive outburst.
“We had some clutch hitting by the people who are supposed to be hitting and driving in runs,” Weil said. “It was a good productive day all the way around for the entire team.”
Los Alamitos came into the game ranked No. 9 in CIF-SS Division 1 — La Habra is ranked No. 2 in Division 2 — and its losses had been to teams that are also ranked in Division 1: No. 1 Villa Park and No. 6 Pacifica.
Seven of the Griffins’ hits against the Highlanders (5-1) were for extra bases.
Johnson went 2 for 2 with a double, a home run, a walk, five RBIs and three runs scored.
“I put her in the five spot to get some runners on, (give her a chance) to be able to drive in some runs and that is what she did today,” Weil said.
Johnson, who has committed to play at the University of San Diego, said she wasn’t thinking about hitting a home run when stepped up to bat with the bases loaded in the first.
“Bases loaded, you’re just looking for a good hit to score some runs,” Johnson said. “I just saw a good pitch to hit and took advantage of it.’
Sefe, who bats fourth in the lineup, was 1-for-1 with a home run, two walks, two RBIs and three runs scored.
The Texas Tech commit was walked on four pitches in her first at-bat and had a two-ball, no strike count when she homered in her second at-bat.
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“I saw a pitch I liked and I just swung,” Sefe said. “I wasn’t trying to do too much. I was just waiting to see something good.”
Sefe said the one-sided victory gives the Griffins a boost as they prepare for the prestigious Dave Kops Tournament of Champions, which runs Thursday through Saturday in Bullhead City, Arizona.