Softball wins state title in 1-0 duel with Oaks Christian
Miah Garcia rounds third base in the third inning after hitting a RBI double.
With a game-winning RBI double in the third inning by senior Miah Garcia and a complete game shutout by junior Mya McGowan, the Poway Varsity Softball team won 1-0 on June 3 to win the state championship for the second time in program history, and the first since 2002.
“They played like they’ve been playing all year,” head coach Jim Bennett said. “Great defense, great pitching, and a timely hit.”
McGowan finished her seventh shutout of the season for her 19th win. After walking the first two batters of the game, they got a double play and a groundout to get out of the jam.
McGowan retired the next nine batters in order through the fourth inning. Meanwhile, Garcia came up with a runner on and two outs to record the game’s first hit for either team in the third inning.
“I was looking to get her in,” Garcia said. “This pitcher was really good – she’s a stud – but we just came up on top.”
The big hit proved to be the game winner in a pitching duel for the ages in the state championship. The Titans only recorded three hits against Oaks Christian’s Emelia Davis, but Garcia’s timely hit was all Poway needed.
“There’s lots of things that can go wrong, but there’s also lots of things that can go right,” Garcia said.
After working around leadoff hits in the fifth and sixth innings, McGowan allowed a leadoff single to right field in the top of the seventh, putting the game-tying run on base. The next batter grounded out straight to the pitcher, getting thrown out at first base. The runner tried to steal an extra base on the groundout and was thrown out at third base after being run down by the first baseman.
“I love my defense … They make a lot of good plays for me,” McGowan said.
For the seniors, their high school careers ended the way everybody dreams. The Titans finished their season with a 29-3 record, with the 2023 Southern California championship. Next year’s returning players will try to defend their title next year.
