Makayla Grace threw a one-hitter and Jayda Pequita homered and drove in 4 runs as the Wildcats walloped South Shore 15-3, in a non-league home game on Tuesday afternoon. Westport improved their overall record to 6-8 with a power ranking of 33 in Division 5, as they fight for a playoff spot with four games left to play in the regular season.

“We are shooting for the playoffs,” said head coach Monique Jones. “We haven’t made them since I have been here.”

Grace fans 9, throws one-hitter

Freshman pitcher Makayla Grace struck out 9 and allowed just one hit, 5 walks and 3 runs, that all crossed the plate in the final inning.

The Vikings had a difficult time catching up to the righty’s heater as she struck out 8 and had a no-hitter going through the first four innings. Grace spotted her fastball and change and was in command allowing just three base runners before losing concentration in the fifth inning. The Vikings Gresswell singled with a runner on to break the no-hitter. Grace walked 4 in the inning and 3 runs crossed the plate before she recovered to get a ground out and a strike out to end the inning.

“Makayla is solid,” said Coach Jones. “She gets better every game and has grown so much as a player.”

“I feel like I have gotten more accurate,” she said.

Grace, who is currently 2-2, rang up 48 batters in 34.5 innings this spring. She  began pitching in youth league and has been working on the craft with her mom, Stephanie (Grant) Ward, who pitched for Westport in the early 2000’s and also coached the middle school team recently. 

“we are  working on a drop curve and a rise ball change," she said. "It's not really there yet. But it's coming along. "

Pequita homers drives in 4 runs

Junior Jayda Pequita smacked a homer, singled and drove in 4 runs to lead Westport offensively agianst the Vikings. The Wildcats offense who has scored 122 runs this season, collected 9 hits and scored 3 runs in the first inning, 3 in the second, 2 in the third, 6 in the fourth and 1 in the fifth as they took advantage of the ten-run rule to end the game.

“It was Jayda’s first home run of the season,” said Coach Jones of Pequita who plays shortstop for the Wildcats. “She is my commander on the diamond. She controls everything and is the leader on the field.”

Pequita, who is hitting .333 this season, hit her home-run in the first inning, with teammate Julia George on first base.

Pequita tattooed a 3-1 pitch deep into the left-field gap. George who has stole second base, easily scampered home. Pequita  touched all the bases for an inside-the-park homer to give Westport a 2-0 lead.

Pequita delivered again in the second inning. With the bases loaded, she laced a base hit by the Vikings left fielder. Morgan Pacheco, Bella Babb and George all scored to give Westport a 6-0 lead.

Molly Costa, Morgan Pacheco and Tess Silvia also contributed offensively. Costa clouted a triple, a single and drove in 3 runs. Pacheco hit 3 singles, drove in 2 runs and scored 3 runs. Silvia singled, walked twice, drove in 2 runs and scored 2 runs.

Wildcats need to keep winning

Westport will have to redeem themselves against three teams that they lost to earlier this season in order to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Wildcats, who have just four games left, lost to Holbrook, Norfolk and Southeastern, all who they have left to play on the schedule with a second game against South Shore.

32 teams make the Division 5 playoff bracket. Westport who is ranked 33rd, needs to move up a spot to achieve their goal this season.