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Brianne Weiss leads sharp Orange Lutheran softball past Mater Dei in Trinity League

March 25, 2023

Orange Lutheran’s Mya Diaz smiles after hitting a double against Mater Dei in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Brianne Weiss throws a strike against Mater Dei during a Trinity League game in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Makayla Motis hits a fly ball during a Trinity League game against Mater Dei in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Madelyn Armendariz stops a ground ball during a Trinity League game against Mater Dei in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

From left, Mater Dei’s Elle McCloskey tries to tag out Orange Lutheran’s Mya Diaz as she slides into second base during a Trinity League game in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Mater Dei’s Mariah Peters stops a line drive and makes the out at first against Orange Lutheran during a Trinity League game in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Mater Dei’s Kalia Lara catches a pop-fly for the out against Orange Lutheran during a Trinity League game in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Mya Diaz makes the out at first during a Trinity League game against Mater Dei in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Madelyn Armendariz makes the out at second and throws the ball to first during a Trinity League game against Mater Dei in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Mater Dei bunts the ball during a Trinity League game against Orange Lutheran in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Brianne Weiss throws a strike against Mater Dei during a Trinity League game in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Orange Lutheran’s Zoelle Gummeson catches a fly ball for the out against Mater Dei during a Trinity League game in Orange on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

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ORANGE — Orange Lutheran softball coach Steve Miklos wasn’t always “a fan” of turf infields.

“I’m traditional,” he explained, “I like the dirt.”

But after two weeks of heavy rain in Orange County and rescheduling games, the veteran coach is feeling thankful for the Lancers’ new turf infield, which was installed over the summer. His team has practiced on the surface in the afternoon following a morning rain.

Miklos saw another benefit Friday.

Orange Lutheran, ranked fourth in Orange County, played strong defense to match equally sharp ace Brianne Weiss en route to a 6-0 victory against visiting Mater Dei in the Trinity League.

“We’ve been fortunate enough with our field to practice here (recently),” said Miklos, whose team improved 8-4 overall, 2-0 in league. “Our field drys (fast) like you won’t believe it. On Tuesday, we practiced and it rained in the morning, which was nice. I wasn’t a fan of the turf infield but I’m happy we have it.”

“We really wanted to get this game,” he added. “This was a good win for us.”

Orange Lutheran’s defense was paced by senior third baseman Makayla Motis and freshman shortstop Madelyn Armendariz.

Motis neutralized the Monarchs’ small-ball attack by recording multiple putouts on bunts while Armendariz flashed the range that has placed her on the U.S. under-15 national team. Armendariz raced into shallow left field to rob Mater Dei of a hit in the first inning.

The Monarchs (6-7-1, 0-2), ranked No. 13 in the county, could have used the early spark because Weiss (5-2) delivered a commanding performance. The Notre Dame commit, who entered with a 0.84 ERA, scattered three hits, struck out nine and walked only one in the complete-game victory.

Orange Lutheran played for the first time in a week and only the second time since concluding the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions on March 11 in Bullhead City, Ariz.

“I love when we get to play. I love when it’s sunny out,” Weiss said. “Not playing was a kind of bummer because then we have to make up games later in the season. Games get crammed in the middle of the week … but I love it. I love playing so I don’t mind at all.”

Motis also paced the offense with run-scoring doubles in the first and fifth innings. She drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the third.

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Leadoff batter Kai Minor sparked a three-run third by leading off a single. The speedy sophomore stole second, raced to the third on an error on the throw and scored on a well-executed squeeze bunt by Mya Diaz.

Tessa Jerue added two hits, including a double, for the Lancers.

Mater Dei used three different pitchers as it continued to play without ace Justice Alcarez, who is out with a hamstring injury, first-year coach Nicole Thomas said.

The Monarchs received a diving catch in right field from Olivia Montoya in the sixth and a double in the seventh from shortstop Elle McCloskey.

Orange County Register

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Brianne Weiss leads sharp Orange Lutheran softball past Mater Dei in Trinity League

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