LEASAU'S SLAM SINKS TITANS

Mira Mesa's depth tops Poway
Leasau's grand slam caps huge rally
© East County Sports.com
MIRA MESA (3-28-12) — The depth of the Mira Mesa Marauders allowed a smart strategical move by Poway head coach Jim Bennet to backfire.
After the Marauders tied Tuesday's (Mar. 27) Falcon Fiesta game with two runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, the hosts still had two runners in scoring position, so Bennet elected to intentionally walk University of Arizona bound power hitter KATIYANA MAUGA.
"I can't blame him (Bennet); he had an open base and didn't want Katiyana to beat him," said Mira Mesa coach BRAD GRIFFITH. "I would've done the same thing."
Plus, Mauga, a junior shortstop, already had collected two hits for a pair of RBI, so walking her made sense. However, pitching around batters against this potent line-up proved difficult.
On a 3-2 pitch with two outs, Marauders catcher TANI LEASAU followed by drilling a grand slam to left-center field, the difference in an 8-4 decision over Poway after posting six runs in the 6th. The shot capped a 3-for-4, five RBI outing by Leasau.
"The ball got out of here quick," added Griffith. "We're lucky to have a lot of players who can really hit the ball."
The rally allowed freshman pitcher ALICIA GARCIA to collect the victory. She trailed entering the 6th after allowing four runs – all unearned – and just four basehits. With Garcia in the circle, No. 1 pitcher LANI VANTA moved over to second base, collecting two of the Marauders' 12 basehits from the leadoff spot.
It was the second comeback by Mira Mesa. They initially tied the game at 2-all in the 5th, but Poway reclaimed the advantage on a 2-run single by Chase Snell in the 6th.
Poway, which has been bidding for a Top 10 berth in the county polls after whipping Bonita Vista, 6-1, last week, fell to 5-3-1 overall.

Date: March 27, 2012     Time: 1:00pm      Venue: Mira Mesa