Marina Vitalich Tosses Perfect Game For MSHS Softball

Two years ago in the first career high school softball start for Mary Star High softball wunderkind Marina Vitalich, Downey Calvary Chapel rocked her for 14 runs (8 unearned) in a game that was called due to darkness, leaving the game tied at 14-14 on March 2, 2012.

From that game on to the present stage, look where Vitalich has came back from now?

Facing the one team that provided Vitalich her worst outing of her legendary career at Mary Star, she would make no mistakes in providing arguably her greatest outing of all time by tossing a rarity not only for the Stars, but for all of San Pedro prep sports... a complete seven-inning perfect game.

Vitalich was completely unstoppable as she completely dominated all 21 batters she faced to the tune of 17 strikeouts in only 74 pitches, 59 of them were strikes, in powering the host Stars to a 6-0 nonleague victory over Calvary Chapel at the San Pedro Softball Complex. This latest performance has been just a microcosm of how the season for the George Mason-bound Vitalich has been going since her junior year began.

Already in the 2014 season, Vitalich has no-hit Chadwick of Rolling Hills Estates and Environmental Charter of Lawndale along with the Grizzlies, fanning a total of 51 batters without allowing a single walk or hit batter.

"I have dedicated a countless number of hours to improving my game so it's very rewarding to see all the hard work and commitment pay off," said Vitalich, who also drove in the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning with a sacrifice fly that brought home her sister, freshman shortstop Amanda Vitalich.

A two-out deep fly to center field from Vitalich in the fourth inning was dropped, allowing for two more runs to score. Mary Star (3-0) would then finish the scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning with a bases-loaded walk drawn by senior first baseman Brina Garcia, and another infield pop up error that allowed senior pinch-runners Victoria Vitalich and Miranda Luarca to score.

Vitalich would strike out 13 of her 17 victims swinging by using a devastating array of mixing speeds and using various pitches to become just the second prep softball pitcher in San Pedro to throw for a seven-inning perfect game, joining Ashley Esparza, the former San Pedro High legend, who threw her perfect game against Palisades in 2004.

Ironically, Esparza had 17 strikeouts as well during that game where the Pirates won, 3-0 over Palisades in the first round of the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I playoffs.

"It meant a lot to have thrown a perfect game, especially against a school like Calvary Chapel who has a very competitive team every year, but I couldn't have done it without my team," said Vitalich, also noting the three ground ball assists by senior third baseman Christina Padilla along with a first-pitch ground out combo recorded by Garcia and junior second baseman Lexie Geich in the fifth inning as keys to getting her perfect moment.

Vitalich also paid homage to Esparza by saying: "It is also an honor to be the only other pitcher alongside Ashley Esparza to throw a perfect game because I personally know her, and I know how great of a pitcher she was."

Pretty soon if no one has figured it out by now... everyone will know how great Vitalich truly is.

Views: 317

Comment

You need to be a member of San Pedro News Pilot to add comments!

Join San Pedro News Pilot

San Pedro News Pilot by email - sign up!

Delivered by FeedBurner

What is the SanPedroNewsPilot.com?

The SanPedroNewsPilot.com is the social network and information outlet for San Pedro.

Want to keep up with the news in San Pedro, become a member.


 

Membership has its privileges!

• Got news you think everyone should know? Blog it.
• Have a show or attending a benefit? Put it on the calendar.
• Got video of the big game? Embed it.
• Photos of the new storefront or the school play? Upload them.

Latest Activity

Los Angeles Conservancy promoted Los Angeles Conservancy's event From YMCA to HOME: The Adaptive Reuse of Harbor House Tour
Nov 5
Los Angeles Conservancy posted an event
Thumbnail

From YMCA to HOME: The Adaptive Reuse of Harbor House Tour at Harbor House

November 16, 2024 from 10am to 5pm
On November 16, 2024, join the L.A. Conservancy for a day at San Pedro’s historic Harbor House! “From YMCA to Home” is a special tour that explores the adaptive reuse of this historic building, from YMCA to army hotel to apartment living. The event will also feature the panel discussion "Adaptive Reuse and Preservation’s Broader Role in Housing”: a panel of distinguished guests will discuss how this beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival landmark shows how historic buildings can be…See More
Nov 5

Sports Editor
Jamaal Kellen Street promoted Jamaal Kellen Street's blog post San Pedro High Football 2024 Goes Overtime For Coliseum Triumph
Oct 19

Sports Editor
Jamaal Kellen Street posted blog posts
Oct 19

Sports Editor
Jamaal Kellen Street promoted Jamaal Kellen Street's blog post San Pedro High Flag Football 2024 Has Their Coliseum Moment
Oct 19
Kelly MacGaunn posted an event
Thumbnail

Brouwerij West + MBF Productions + Tangent Productions present Metalachi (ALL AGES) at Brouwerij West

July 6, 2024 at 6pm to July 7, 2024 at 12am
Brouwerij West's newest concert with MBF Productions and Tangent Productions will feature Metalachi this Fourth of July weekend! Supporting the L.A. based metal and mariachi band is Poco Pocho and Spaghetti Cumbia, two…See More
Jun 29
Susan Gordon posted an event
Thumbnail

CicLAmini – Wilmington at Wilmington

May 19, 2024 from 10am to 3pm
Come experience car-free open streets at CicLAvia’s 52nd event on Sunday, May 19; between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy this compact neighborhood route as a pop-up park for the day connecting Wilmington Waterfront Park and Banning Park. For all ages and abilities, CicLAvia - Wilmington offers walkers, joggers, bikers, roller skaters, and those who simply want to play with one’s favorite people-powered way to enjoy this 2.25-mile temporary park. Always free, CicLAvia…See More
May 15
Mistah Wilson posted a video

Michael Taylor's Standoff With Sheriffs at Hollywood Court; Not Arrested | LAPD Obstructs Justice

Defendant Michael Taylor in Case GA1111-32, along with other civilians, were denied access to and from the Hollywood courthouse on May 2nd, 2024 after Taylor...
May 15

© 2024   Created by San Pedro News Pilot.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service