Tehachapi News

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While Tehachapi may have not wrapped up the SSL title this year, they have sure made their presence known in the latter half of this season after taking down their last five opponents by a combined score of 49-9, including a 3-0 victory last Friday over league champ Wasco.

Mountain Softball took down Shafter 12-3 and Wasco 3-0, wrapping up their regular season with a 15-7 (8-2 SSL) record heading into the Central Section Division III playoffs.

Against Shafter, the Lady Warriors recorded 13 hits, led by a 3-4 day at the plate by Erin Golackson, a 2-3 day by Hannah Ricker and three runs by Bre Farinas.

Katie Snapp, who just recently came back from injury, pitched two innings and recorded two strikeouts, while also going 2-2 with a double and RBI on offense.
Tehachapi highlighted their week last Friday by thwarting Wasco’s bid at an undefeated league season with a 3-0 victory, led by a pitching gem by Kelsey Kapitzke, who recorded 14 strikeouts and only two hits relinquished in seven innings of work.

Kapitzke also had a homerun in the game in a 2-4 plate performance, while Bre Farinas had three hits and Michelle Baxter had two hits. Both Ashley Carter and Baxter recorded doubles in the contest.

After a strong finish to their season, the Lady Warriors were awarded the no.4 seed in the playoffs, and will take on the no.5 seeded Dinuba Emperors this Friday at home. Game will start at 4:30 p.m.

Dinuba (17-7; 12-3 CSL) finished their season in second place in the Central Sequoia League.

Junior Varsity

A strong season ended in perfection for the Lady Braves (12-1-1; 10-0 SSL) this past week, capping the year with 10 wins in league en route to the South Sequoia League title.

Shafter and Wasco both fell by 12-3 and 18-8 scores respectively to Tehachapi to give Mountain Softball the outright championship.

“I thought this was going to be a re-building year but our sophomores showed maturity and leadership above and beyond,” said head coach Mike Heckathorn. “Our freshmen also learned and listened and brought an enthusiasm that infected the whole team.”

Shayla Garland grabbed both victories in the circle, giving up only one walk and striking out nine in the two games combined. Makenzie Eberle was the offensive spark, recording six hits and six runs scored, while Kristen Tapia and Stephanie Medina both scored five runs

Defensively, there were many key plays in both contests with Lacey Perez leading the charge with four putouts and nine assists.

The Lady Braves won their first outright championship in 10 years and first undefeated title in 15 years of existence.

“For a year of rebuilding the chemistry came together,” added Heckatorn. “A good season became a great season and a great season became magical.”