No breaks for Pirates in losing streak

COSTA MESA ? Dealing with the unexpected has been commonplace for the Orange Coast College softball team this season. Whether it has been injuries, last-second transfers or a switch to a new position prior to the game, the Pirates have taken it all in stride.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, losing has also been commonplace after beginning the season 5-0.

Orange Coast lost its eighth consecutive Orange Empire Conference game with a 5-1 defeat Wednesday at the hands of Golden West (13-16, 4-7 in conference), which got out to a four-run lead in the first.

Pitcher Britney McAleer, of Costa Mesa High, allowed one run on four hits over the final six innings for Orange Coast (12-21, 1-11 in conference). Sophomore right fielder Paulina Rodriguez, also of Costa Mesa High, was 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

“We haven’t been as consistent as we want to be,” Rodriguez said.

Orange Coast Coach Pat Craig, who has dealt with a rash of injuries small and large, was forced to put a player out of position again. After freshman shortstop Brooke Bayer broke her ankle against Saddleback on Monday, Craig put freshman pitcher Regina Loxsom in her place. Loxsom had one putout, four assists ? including a double play ? and no errors.

As he has all year when injuries occur, he did not tell Loxsom she would be the replacement until shortly before the game.

“She said ‘Cool,’” Craig said of Loxsom’s response. “It was her first game at that position and she did a great job. We’ve been able to make it work.

“This group, they tell me, ‘Wherever you need me to play.’ They don’t know where they are going to until right before the game. They learn to be prepared for anything.”

Before the season began, Craig was already rushing to make changes in his starting lineup. Katie Adkins, the Pirates’ No. 1 starting pitcher, accepted a scholarship to Cal State San Bernardino a week prior to the season.

“We’ve had to scramble around all season,” Craig said. “That’s the way it goes. This group is a great bunch. They keep fighting through it. I’m proud of these girls.”

McAleer started out rough, walking the first two batters of the game. Three singles, another walk and a wild pitch led to four quick runs before McAleer struck out one batter and induced a comebacker to end the inning and strand two runners in scoring position.

“The two walks killed us,” McAleer said. “They were hitting it in the holes.”

Then, McAleer began locating her pitches. She allowed only two singles, one of which was wiped out by a double play, over the next four innings. The freshman walked one batter the remainder of the game.

“I started hitting my spots,” she said. “The defense was very nice. It helped me out a lot today.”

The Pirates, which grounded into two double plays and stranded four runners, including two in scoring position, were about to hit themselves out of another run in the sixth.

Dawn Dallaire started the inning at second after an error, but watched the next two batters record outs. But Rodriguez launched a pitch to deep center for a double, the lone extra base hit for either team, to score Dallaire.

“I dropped my shoulder a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “It would have been better if it was a line drive.”