MONTEBELLO - The Mary Star High softball team relied on more than the pitching dominance of sophomore sensation Marina Vitalich to overcome Cantwell of Sacred Heart in a battle for first place in the Camino Real League.

Two clutch extra-base hits from sophomore infielder Emily Buczko and senior first baseman Mariah Marquez in the latter innings proved to be vital in the visiting Stars' 4-1 victory that has put them in first place by themselves. Vitalich also hurled a one-hitter with no walks and nine strikeouts for Mary Star (5-5 overall, 3-0 league).

Buczko's RBI-triple put the Stars up, 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning before the Cardinals tied it in the bottom of the fifth inning with an unearned run before Marquez, who went 3-for-3, put Mary Star ahead for good with a bases-clearing three-RBI double in the top of the sixth inning. Vitalich would then slam the door shut on any chances of the Cardinals ending their long losing streak to Mary Star.

The Stars have won two in a row after dropping their first two Katella Tournament games.