MARAUDERS RALLY PAST EASTLAKE

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
EASTLAKE (3-21-12) — Buoyed by a 7th-inning home run by KATIYANA MAUGA, Mira Mesa High scored six times over the final two innings to rally past host Eastlake, 9-5, in Tuesday's (Mar. 20) Falcon Fiesta contest in the South Bay.
Mauga, who offered a verbal commitment to the University of Arizona, also belted a pair of doubles before sending a deep shot over the left-center field.
The Maruaders (6-2-1) blazed back from a 4-3 deficit by scoring four times in the 6th, with the rally starting with two outs and no one on base.
Mauga and TANI LEASAU wrapped consecutive doubles to knot the ballgame, followed by run-scoring singles by MERCEDES HUMPHREY, QUIRISA MAUGA and designated player AMBER CORDERO.
Cordero recently made a college commitment to New Mexico Highlands.
Eastlake took the early lead courtesy of three Mira Mesa errors. Then in the 5th, sophomore shortstop Haydn Christensen hit a home run to snap a 3-3 tie.
The Titans (2-4) tried to rally in the bottom of the 7th, as older sister Dylan "Dee" Christensen, a senior left-handed center fielder, also went deep. However, Mira Mesa pitcher LANI VANTA, who only allowed two earned runs all afternoon on the solo homers, retired the final two batters to earn the victory.
Vanta will play for Weber State next spring. Leasau is headed for Cal State San Marcos.
In this week's CIF San Diego Section rankings, Mira Mesa is 9th according to UT San Diego, and 10th by the North County Times.
The two ballclubs meet again Wednesday in a previously scheduled non-league game, also slated for Eastlake 's diamond at 3:30 p.m.

Date: March 20, 2012     Time: 3:30pm      Venue: Eastlake