Kassandra Gewecke, Temple City defeat Moorpark 4-2 for first ever CIFSS softball title

IRVINE– Temple City softball delivered its first ever Southern Section championship on Friday at Deanna Manning Stadium, defeating Moorpark 4-2 to win the Division 4 title. 

The Rams were led by yet another outstanding performance by one of the top sophomore pitchers in SoCal, Kassandra Gewecke. Gewecke had one of the best ERAs in the state during the regular season, in which she only allowed a single earned run in 90.2 innings of work and went 15-1 with a 0.08 ERA.

Moorpark got to the Rams for a run in the top of the first, but it didn't take long for Temple City to take control of the game. Megan Kho and Mya Arias led off the bottom of the second with a single and a walk, respectively, and Gewecke drove in Kho with a single. Then Giselle Sasaki hit a one-run double, Sheridan Gonzalez walked, and Samantha Womack brought in a run with a walk, chasing Moorpark ace Madison Finnerty from the game. 

With a 3-1 deficit, one out, and the bases loaded, Torrey Cook came in and shut down the rally with a pair of strikeouts. She was very effective in 4.2 innings, but did give up a solo blast to Mikala Sanchez in the fifth that provided the Rams some insurance.

That said, even needing two runs to win a ballgame was rare for the Rams with Gewecke in the circle. Temple City had only allowed two runs in four playoff games coming into Friday, and the three they scored in the second frame proved to be enough. 

Their lead was cut to 4-2 in the sixth inning when Dri Martinez doubled and scored on a Caitlin Finnerty single. But Gewecke and co. closed the door on Moorpark without any scares, and became a CIF Southern Section champion softball program.