M’s close in on Crestview title

It hasn’t been a typical season for the Pacifica High softball team. The Mariners won a CIF-SS Division 1title last year and were nationally ranked, losing only one game that season.

The M’s have more modest 15-8 record so far in 2025, but have showed some moxie in shaking off two three-game losing skids earlier this campaign and charging to the front of the tough Crestview League.

On Thursday, they slammed Esperanza 11-0, opening up a tight 1-0 game with 10 runs in the fifth inning. That triggered the “mercy rule” and the M’s improved their league record to 7-2.

After Thursday’s win, the Mariners have a two-game lead over Canyon and El Modena (both 5-4) with three games to play.

Abby Amezquita, a junior, went 2-for-3 against the Aztecs, hitting a homer, scoring twice and finishing with four RBIs.

She’s currently among the Division 1 state leaders in stolen bases, slugging average and runs batted in.

The winning pitcher was senior Ellena Ediss, who worked all five innings and gave up no runs and just three hits. She struck out five batters and walked two.

Pacifica is currently ranked 21st in California by MaxPreps and 13th in the CIF-SS. The “smart money” may be on Norco (22-2) or Orange Lutheran (20-3), but – considering history – you can never count the M’s out come playoff time.