Lady Bearcats Shut Out Against Kaiser, 6-0

Bearcats pitcher threw a 6-0 shutout and struck out the final three batters she faced.

The Bonita Bearcats shut out Kaiser, 6-0, behind the dominant pitching of Chloe Wurst, who finished the game with an exclamation point by striking out the side.

Carrying the No. 1 seed, Bonita was taking nothing for granted after being upset in last year’s first round.

“This game was extremely important to us,” said Coach Ken Carlson, “considering where we last year. It was a hurdle we just had to get over, and I’m really proud of the ballclub. They responded, they’ve been working hard.”

On offense, Jackie Campa was a standout, going two-for-three and scoring three runs. Jazzlyn Costa and Wurst also collected two hits apiece.

“They felt the pressure of this,” Carlson added. “But they played through it.”

There was a definitely a buzz in the air, greeting Bonita’s first CIF performance of 2010. Despite the team’s regular season 22-4-1 regular season, Carlson knew that all goes out the window when the playoffs roll around.

“We talked about the playoffs as a marathon,” Carlson said “We’re here, we’re in it, we’re prepared for it. Now we have to show character and heart and go finish it, and finish strong.”

In describing Wurst’s latest outing, Carlson ran out of superlatives.

“That kid is just amazing,” Carlson said. “She’s kind of a surprise when she takes the mound. You’re not sure which one is going to show. But with either one, they’re both great.”

What makes Wurst special is that she is always quick to praise her teammates, and Thursday was no different.

“Our team did really well,” Wurst said. “They came out and scored early, making my job easy.”

Although Wurst is clearly the team’s ace, she said she still gets excited when she’s told she is going to pitch.

“I get fired up every time he says that I’m on the mound, and I just contribute the best I can,” Wurst said.

Wurst also contributed with the bat.

“Just a couple of bloopers, but anything for the team, anything for the team,” she said. “Just want to contribute.”

 “We’re definitely fired up,” Wurst added. “Anyone can win, and hopefully it’s going to be us.”

Bonita’s back on the diamond next Tuesday against Sunny Hills. Location is yet to be determined.