With the teams often so evenly matched in CIF softball the difference between winning and losing generally comes down to one player seizing the moment and coming through at crunch time. In Mater Dei’s (21-11) dramatic 6-5 victory over Christian High (24-9) in the CIF Division IV Championship game last Saturday, shortstop Wendy Tamayo smacked a seventh inning solo home run over the left field fence to break a 5-5 tie. With the one run lead in hand, Mater Dei Catholic’s ace, Maritza Lopez-Portillo, finalized the victory by retiring the Patriots in order.

   For Tamayo, coming through in the clutch is nothing new. Her two home runs in what was the biggest game of her high school career were her fifth and sixth of the season.

   “Wendy is better at the plate under pressure than any player I have ever seen,” said triumphant Crusaders coach Mike Centrullo. “This is not unique for her to come through like this. She did it on Thursday night at Poway, she did it last year in the playoffs and she did it throughout this season. Under pressure at the plate I wouldn’t want anybody else.”

   Years ago, Tamayo began her career as a baseball player.

   “I began playing baseball when I was six on my bro-ther’s team and I continued playing baseball until I was 13,” Tamayo recalled. “Then I moved over to softball and began playing catcher. Catcher is my main position. Once I arrived here I wanted to take a break from catching to give my knees a rest so I moved over to shortstop. I still catch for my club team, the SoCal Breakers.”

   While softball is her number one sport, Tamayo has also been a solid basketball player for the Crusaders. In fact, as a junior she was a guard on Mater Dei’s Division IV State Championship squad. So playing in big games is nothing new to her and mastering new positions comes easily.

   “She’s a catcher by trade, but we have had her at shortstop and used her sister (Kim) is our catcher. Wendy is just as good as a shortstop. I think you could put her in any position. She is very well rounded. I have never seen a more complete player. It has been a pleasure watching her grow to maturity from a freshman into a senior. Defensively, offensively, as a leader and as an inspiration she has been amazing.”

   Tamayo’s skills behind the plate for the Breakers and her big bat for both teams have earned her a full ride to the University of Nevada Reno next season.