Nimitz achieved a four-year goal Saturday evening when it defeated Memorial 13-10 in a District 19-5A softball game.

“Ever since freshman year, we’ve wanted it so bad, and we finally beat them,” Nimitz pitcher Jessica Davis said.

After swapping the lead inning after inning, Nimitz stayed focused and strong with the bat.

“They have been hitting better this year than they have in a very long time,” said Nimitz coach Rene Hopkins said. “The one thing we had in our favor is that we’ve had some games where we’ve had to come from behind and we just say believe in yourselves.”

Davis, a senior pitcher, is someone else the Cougars believe in. Davis pitched the entire game, and even though she gave up hits, she stayed strong and got the win.

“I think we have the top pitcher in our district right now,” Hopkins said. “She’s got all the tools needed to win everything.”

Memorial scored two runs early on a home run by Suzanne Beltran and a base hit by Meghan Slattery who eventually scored.

The next inning was Nimitz’ first big inning. Nimitz’ second three batters reached base by way of walk. Jasmine Smith then hit in the first run. And with bases still loaded, Rachelle Harris hit a grad slam for a 5-2 lead.

“I can’t say enough about Rachelle and her hitting,” Hopkins said. “She cleaned the bases and put them (Memorial) in shock for the first time. I’m just as proud as I can be.”

In the bottom of the third and fourth innings, Memorial came back and took a one-run lead on a total of six hits.

But in the top of five, Nimitz had their second huge inning, scoring seven runs. Beginning with two walks, Hanna Eiland hit a double to score her two teammates. The Cougars scored their next five runs on two runs, an error, and a wild pitch.

Both teams scored one run a piece at their next at bat, but Memorial showed some comeback in the bottom of the seventh as they scored three extra runs.

But it wasn’t enough to beat Nimitz who is undefeated in district and have believed they would be from the beginning of the season.

“We knew we had a good team this year,” Hopkins said. “I told them right from the start, and I predicted to the Chronicle, that we would be No. 1 and I wanted them to believe that.”

“I couldn’t ask for a better season,” said Davis, who has had offers to different colleges. “To see our team come together is awesome. It’s awesome because it’s my senior year.”

The Cougars will face MacArthur after Spring Break and Hopkins said, “We’ve got MacArthur coming in two weeks and we’re going to do it again.”

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