April 7, 2012

McNair senior Natlia Estremera scored three runs and pitched a no-hitter. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

McNair at Lincoln Softball Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY– If there was any doubt to how vital Natalia Estremera is to McNair's success this season, longtime head coach Vahhon McCullers made it quite clear how important the senior standout is both on and off the field.

"I told her it's her team," said McCullers following the Cougars' 17-0 victory over Lincoln. "It's only going to go as far as she takes them. (Her teammates) respond to her very well. She takes on leadership the way you want a leader to.

"J.J. (Natalia's nickname) has embraced the whole role of being a leader now, on the field and in the meetings she'll pull the girls to the side. If we want to get it done it needs to be from the neck down."

Such words might make the burden too big for a player, particularly one who is being asked to lead a team which has eight sophomores and two freshmen. But Estremera, one of just two seniors on the roster, has thrived under the challenge.

Normally a shortstop, Estremera was shifted to pitcher due to an injury to top hurler Sarah Kreutz. Thanks to a deceptive changeup Estremera tossed a four-inning no-hitter, striking out four while walking just two.

Any nerves about pitching were eased early as McNair (3-1) quickly pounced on the host Lions (1-2) with four runs in the top of the first. Estremera helped her own cause with a single down the right field line to score Micah Baluyot and Grace Hill to make it 2-0 just three batters into the game.

"They're aggressive. It's about what we do in the first inning," McCullers said. "If we score runs in the first inning, it makes it easy for us to go out and play defense."

"It takes off a lot of pressure knowing that we have that lead," Estremera said. "Even if something happens where I do make a mistake, we'll still have that lead to keep us up."

Estremera would steal second and third before being driven home by 1B Haley Bissell.

McNair would continue to build upon its early lead, tacking on four runs in the second inning, three in the third and six in the fourth.

"I don't feel like I always have to be the one to have to hit or have an RBI to get people in because my teammates will pick me up even if I don't get a hit," said Estremera, who went 1-for-2 at the plate with two walks, three runs scored and four stolen bases.

Eight different players in the Cougars' lineup would get hits in the game and seven would have at least one RBI in the win.

Bissell led the offensive attack with five RBI thanks to a three-run homer in the third inning. She also scored three runs. Baluyot and Hill also scored three times apiece with Hill, a freshman shortstop, driving in two.

Lincoln centerfielder Isamar Veras makes a running catch in the third inning. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

McNair at Lincoln Softball Photo Gallery