Redmond takes a chance, comes up snake eyes
Coach's decision backfires as Moorpark softball squad tops Agoura
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers CLOSE PLAY- Agoura High third baseman Andrea Smith, right, makes the tag on Moorpark's Tori Flores during Tuesday's game. AHS built a 6-2 lead before Moorpark's offense exploded for seven runs.

It was a calculated gamble that didn't pay off.

Leading Moorpark High 6-2 entering the top of the fifth inning Tuesday at home, Agoura softball coach Chance Redmond replaced his starting pitcher, senior Kimberly Green, with reliever Allison Schneider.

"My thought process was that the difference between (Green and Schneider) would be enough to throw them off for an inning or two," Redmond said.

"It's worked before, to put in a different pitcher and throw the other team's timing off. I figured (Green) would come back in an inning or two and be strong. But those girls, they just lit it up. They hammered it. They hammered both of our pitchers."

Eleven batters, seven hits and seven runs later, Moorpark had taken a commanding 96 comefrombehind lead it would not relinquish en route to victory.

"I told the kids that I take the blame for at least three of those runs," said Redmond, whose Chargers fell to 7-5 overall and 2-3 in the Marmonte League.

"I can't blame them for that. I made a decision that didn't work out."

Moorpark's Tori Flores opened the decisive fifth inning by hitting the first pitch she saw over the left-field fence to make the score 6-3 in favor of Agoura.

Three consecutive singles followed, and the Musketeers (10-4, 4-1 in league) quickly had the bases loaded. At that point Green was re-inserted at pitcher. After inducing a groundout, Green had to face Musketeer pitcher Breeanna Holliday.

In the first inning, Holliday had a two-RBI single. She doubled off Green in her second at-bat. This time, with the bases still loaded, the stakes were much higher.

Green "had been pitching me inside all game," Holliday said. "I was ready for it again."

When Green came back inside with another offering, Holliday deposited the ball deep into the afternoon skyline for a go-ahead grand slam home run. Moorpark plated two more runners before Green could get Agoura's defense off the field.

Holliday finished the game 3for-4 at the plate with six RBI. She also earned the complete game victory for Moorpark.

Green said that if she never saw Holliday step into the batter's box again, "I'd be okay with that."

After Moorpark opened the game with the 2-0 lead in the first inning, Agoura answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame on RBI hits by sophomores Julie Lewis and Shannon Kaufman. Lewis later scored on a Musketeer error.

The Chargers tacked on another run in the bottom of the second inning and two more runs in the fourth to build their 62 advantage.

While Tuesday's loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the entire Agoura team, the players and coaches have no time to sit back and feel sorry about what happened.

AHS has nine league games remaining on its schedule, beginning this afternoon at Calabasas (2-13, 0-5). On Tuesday, the Chargers play at first-place Simi Valley (18-0, 5-0). Agoura hosts Thousand Oaks (12-3, 4-1) next Thursday afternoon.

"We just have to stay focused as a team and keep our heads in every game," said Green, who's now 7-4 on the year with a 1.93 ERA.

"Of course we're going to bounce back. I'm confident."

Redmond concurred.

"Our season is not over because of this loss, not at all," Redmond said. "We just need to regroup, because anything can happen. Any team can beat another team in this league. That's how close this race is."