There's a mantra that ever since the Mary Star High softball team made its run since the month of May began that they follow by...

"We're just looking to win each play, pitch and inning one at a time," sophomore shortstop Lexie Geich said.

So far, it's working and now the Stars only have one more game to follow that creed, and it's for a CIF-Southern Section championship.

Geich's booming RBI-triple in the bottom of the sixth was the biggest hit of the season for Mary Star, as yet another virtuoso performance in the circle from fellow sophomore Marina Vitalich was just enough to carry the host Stars to a 2-0 victory over Rosamond in the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 semifinals at the San Pedro Softball Complex.

More than just a victory it was for Mary Star (20-8 overall), as they are now just one win away from the school's first CIF championship in ANY sport, as they head to the school's fifth ever Southern Section final. The girls volleyball team was runner-up in the CIF three times, and the 2002 baseball team was the last to reach a final.

Vitalich tossed a brilliant two-hit shutout, not issuing a walk and struck out nine for the Stars, who were able to get five hits off Rosamond junior pitcher McKenzie Draper, three of which were doubles.

After surrendering a lead off single to sophomore outfielder Eileen Grimes in the second inning, Vitalich was aided by a sparkling double play. Senior first baseman Mariah Marquez rushed up to catch a failed attempt at a sacrifice bunt from Rosamond junior first baseman Rayne Bolin that popped up, then quickly fired to senior second baseman Rikki Legaspi-Valdez covering first to double up Grimes. Vitalich retired 16 batters in a row to stymie the Roadrunners.

Senior catcher Amber Nunez drove in senior third baseman Cassie Demers with a towering double off the left field fence but was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple. Still, the Stars took a 1-0 lead on that Nunez smash and on this day, that would have been more than enough for Vitalich against Rosamond (26-4).

Nunez was thrown out at third trying to add an extra base after Demers scored, but it would not hurt Mary Star.

Going into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Stars still needed some insurance. That's where Geich came into play.

Demers led off the inning with a double that landed nine inches fair down the left field line. After Nunez grounded out to Rosamond sophomore shortstop Jacqueline Mercado, Geich faced a 1-and-1 count before blasting a shot into the right-center field gap to score Demers from third base, then hustled to third and slid in safely for the killer triple that gave the Stars the 2-0 lead.

Geich was cut down at the plate attempting to score off a wild pitch, but she did her damage with the bat.

Vitalich would then slam the door shut, and the Stars were able to add more shine to their already promising future. That future is the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 semifinals against Bell-Jeff of Burbank, a 5-1 winner over Santa Paula likely for Saturday at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine. Time is to be determined. 

Mary Star High's graduation is Friday.

Marquez doubled and was 1-for-2 on the day for Mary Star, who's only other hit came from senior designated player Gabriela Meave.