The Mary Star High softball team is starting to click again, and that may not bode well for the rest of the Camino Real League.

By the combined efforts of senior second baseman Rikki Legaspi-Valdez's clutch two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning and another virtuoso effort in the circle from sophomore pitcher Marina Vitalich, the Stars were able to hold off visiting St. Monica of Santa Monica, 3-0 at the San Pedro Softball Complex.

Vitalich was on point, not allowing one contacted hit leave the infield while hurling a one-hit shutout, allowing three walks and striking out 11 for Mary Star (7-5 overall, 4-0 league), who have now won four in a row. The returning All-CIF sensation no-hit the Mariners (4-8, 1-4) for five 1/3 innings before surrendering an infield single to freshman infielder Brianna Campos in the top of the sixth inning.

Vitalich also pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the third inning and scored in the bottom of the first inning off a one-out single by senior third baseman Cassie Demers.

Legaspi-Valdez made two of the most important plays of the day to keep the Stars in the loop.

First, Legaspi-Valdez made a sparkling play at second base, throwing out St. Monica sophomore outfielder Cassidy Childs out from the knees by just about a half step to lead off the top of the fifth inning with the Stars protecting a 1-0 lead.

Then in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs, Legaspi-Valdez belted a towering two-run double that was an inch away from clearing the fence that drove home senior first baseman Mariah Marquez, who lead off the inning with a single, and freshman left fielder Gabby Meave for two very crucial runs.

Junior center fielder Emily Buczko also singled for the Stars, who will next face host St. Bernard of Playa Del Rey in a Camino Real League game on Friday.

This was Mary Star's second win over their nemesis Mariners, also posting a 5-0 victory back on March 14 when Vitalich struck out 16 at the Complex.