Westminster softball loses an 8-run lead; still wins by 10

Dianna Montidoro's three hits powers the Lions to victory over Mater Lakes

LAUDERDALE LAKES – Sophomore Dianna Montidoro collected three hits, including a solo home run to help Westminster Academy defeat Mater Lakes 18-8 in 5 innings, Friday, in a back-and-forth affair. Montidoro’s RBI single helped fuel a six-run fourth inning after Mater Lakes put up an eight spot in the top half of the frame to erase an 8-0 deficit.

Sophomore Dianna Montidoro had three hits, including a home run, but it was her RBI single in a six-run fourth helped the Lions pull away for a run-rule victory / Photo by Michael Costeines

The Lions jumped on the Bears early with a six-run first inning highlighted by a pair of run scoring doubles, including one off the bat of sophomore Ava Salvino. A number of fielding errors by Mater Lakes also contributed to Westminster Academy’s big opening frame. Salvino would later come on in relief in the fourth inning to help end the Bears’ rally.

“Resilience for sure,” said Westminster Academy head coach Casey Jarvis on her team’s win. “It was a good learning experience for our girls. In the game of softball, there is never a comfortable lead. Anything can happen and the game can change in a minute notice. I was also just happy to see all of our players contributing to that win, whether defensively or offensively. A lot of people who maybe were having a hard time seeing the ball the first couple of games got some really nice hits at key moments. That was nice to see. A lot of good lessons learned out here today. Resilience and you can never get too comfortable with a lead.”

Westminster Academy starting pitcher Arianna Pierce retired her first seven batters before a double by the Bears’ Leah Hernandez broke up the early no-hitter in the third inning. The freshman would respond by striking out Gabriella Vazquez and Gabriella Estepe to escape the frame.

Pierce would find trouble during the following inning as two 2-run rbi doubles by senior captain Fabiola Artiles and freshman Allyson Lopez highlighted Mater Lakes’ eight-run fourth inning. Three early walks and errors also helped the Bears’ comeback in the frame. Salvino would then come on in relief and strike out junior catcher/first baseman Emily Vales to keep the game tied at eight.

“Arianna did great for her first outing as a freshman,” said Jarvis. Obviously, she had a few pregame jitters but she definitely is coming along nicely. We’re just working on building up her confidence to finish innings and finish games, but I thought she did great today. (Ava) is our starter and our ace. She was playing right field earlier. She started every game for us so far this year. She came in and gave us that confidence back that we could get back in the game. I think it gave everyone that ease a little bit.”

Each of Montidoro’s three hits helped Westminster Academy score runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. She also laced a line drive to lead off the game that was dropped in the outfield that sparked Westminster Academy’s early lead. Montidoro ripped her solo home run off Hernandez by dinging the left field scoreboard.

“We started off really good,” said Montidoro. “We obviously didn’t give up when things went downhill. A couple of girls that never got on the field before got in and did their job. I’m proud of the team that we followed through even though it was rough a little. We followed through and we won. I was just thinking up the middle (on the home run). I’ve been working on not pulling so I was just focusing on that this game.”

Westminster Academy remains unbeaten at 4-0 while Mater Lakes drops to 2-2.