Etiwanda's 8 HRs exact revenge for loss to Rancho

After Rancho Cucamonga's 4-1 win on April 5 provided the lone blemish on the record of an Etiwanda team that was previously ranked fourth in the country by espnrise.com, it's safe to say the Eagles (14-1, 4-1) exacted revenge on Rancho Cucamonga (9-6, 3-2).

Etiwanda second baseman Kelsey Barak, who was 3 for 5 with four RBIs, began the devastating second-inning stretch with a three-run home run, the first of four in a row. Etiwanda was leading 2-0 with one out in the second inning but three pitches and three home runs later the Eagles led 7-0. Though she looked at a couple of pitches before hitting Etiwanda's fourth consecutive dinger of the second, senior first baseman Alyssa Calderon hit one more over the fence in the decisive frame.

Taukeiaho was 3 for 4 with four RBIs and Spaulding was 3 for 5 with five RBIs. Spaulding homered in three consecutive trips to the plate, including a three-run shot in the third that ballooned the Etiwanda lead to 11-0.

"They caught us off guard last week and I didn't think it before this game, but right now I think that was the best thing that could have happened to us," Masucci said. "I'd rather learn that lesson now than the last game of the season like last year."

After winning a CIF title two seasons ago, Etiwanda earned a No. 1 seed last season but lost in the first round of the playoffs. The first-place Eagles are back in control of their own destiny after pulling ahead of Rancho Cucamonga in the Baseline League. The Cougars, who defeated Upland in extra innings Thursday following the emotional win over Etiwanda, share second place with Upland.

"We knew Etiwanda would come out with a vengeance today," Rancho Cucamonga coach Mike Lindensmith said. "Last time we had a game plan and we worked it. This time our pitcher didn't hit her spots. But there's no way you can defend eight home runs."

Rancho Cucamonga freshman pitcher Hope Davalos allowed just one run on four hits in the first meeting with Etiwanda but without a backup had to endure all 19 hits on Tuesday. Sophomore centerfielder Justine McLean, who was 2 for 3, was the only Cougar to reach base in the first three innings. By the fourth inning, Etiwanda's lead had swelled to 18-0.