CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa – Timely hitting by Isa Munoz and Allie Powers and a clutch final-inning double play helped Kubasaki softball end its season-long streak of futility against Kadena.
Munoz drove in four runs with two singles, Powers ripped a two-run triple and the Dragons held off a late Panthers charge for an 11-10 victory Thursday. It was Kubasaki’s first win in seven tries against Kadena this season.
“She settled down, she relaxed, she’s trying to build up her confidence,” Dragons coach Stephanie Davis said of Munoz. “And I think it was showing on the field and that transfers to her bat. When she feels good on the field, her bat comes alive.”
And it spilled over to the rest of the team, which took advantage of 12 walks and saddled Bailey Prince with her first loss of the season. Prince allowed eight hits and walked eight.
Prince, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Kadena briefly led 4-3 in the top of the third inning, but the Dragons answered with four of their own in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good. Munoz went 2-for-3 in support of Lucy Santoyo, who battled control problems but got the complete-game victory despite giving up 12 hits and six walks.
Kadena had the tying and lead runners on base in the seventh, but Kubasaki shortstop Mindy Washam snagged a hard grounder up the middle, stepped on second and threw to first to complete a clutch double play, effectively killing the rally.
“They buckled down, they’ve been working really hard, they’re finding out a lot about each other, they’re coming together, getting through their differences and the chemistry is starting to rock, they’re starting to put it all together,” Davis said.
The teams play once more in the regular season at 3 p.m. Saturday at Ryukyu Middle School’s Habu Field on Kadena Air Base. The best-of-three district finals follow, Game 1 on May 9 at Foster Field 2 and Games 2 and 3, if needed, on May 10 at Habu Field.
