Mission Bay High School’s softball team is an interesting study. The third baseman, sophomore Sage Weiss, didn’t play the sport until last year. Before that, her focus was playing baseball against the boys. She’s on a developmental team to represent the United States in women’s baseball.

The catcher, senior Kasandra Zavala, is bound for Division III Messiah University, a Christian college in Mechanicsburg, Penn.

It’s a young team, with seven of the nine starters being underclassmen.

The Buccaneers think they’re capable of winning the second CIF San Diego Section championship in school history. And if they do, a large reason why will be sophomore pitcher Abigail Nelson, who has pitched every inning of the season for the Buccaneers.

On a sun-kissed Thursday afternoon at Mission Bay’s pristine field, the Bucs improved to 10-3 with a nail-biting 1-0 win over Coronado (12-7-1).

Nelson gave up just three hits and struck out 12, but because of errors and three walks (one intentional), she had to pull off a couple Houdini acts. Twice, Nelson escaped bases-loaded jams, once with one out. In total, she left 10 runners stranded, seven in scoring position.

“She has a knack to lock in when it’s needed,” said Mission Bay coach Vince Ichihara. “She’s pitched in front of big schools and big moments in travel ball. She’s prepared for most big moments.”

How collected is Nelson? With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh and last inning, she fielded a ground ball back to the circle, and calmly threw to first. Rather than jump up and down or pounded her glove celebrating the Bucs’ eighth straight win, she simply turned to Mission Bay’s dugout, put her head down and walked toward the dugout.

Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile.

“Abi’s amazing,” said Weiss. “I love being out there, not having to worry. I just know she’s dominating.”

The game was scoreless going into the bottom of the fourth and Mission Bay was still searching for its first hit. Nelson, who came in hitting .464 with six doubles and three home runs, smoked a double to right-center field that one-hopped the fence.

“I like the freedom of hitting,” said Nelson. “Just how it forces me to get out of my head, and just focus on the pitch that’s coming at me.”

Freshman Olivia Rosenstein ran for Nelson and after moving to third on an error, scored the game’s lone run on a wild pitch.

With the win, Nelson lowered her ERA to 1.78. She has struck out 92 batters in 63 innings with just 22 walks. She’s been clocked at 64 mph, which in softball, pitching from 43 feet, is roughly equivalent to a baseball pitcher throwing 95 mph at 60 feet, six inches.

For Coronado, the hard-luck loser was freshman Quinn Smoke, who pitched six innings, allowed one unearned run on three hits and struck out seven.

As for Nelson, Ichihara says she’ll play Division I softball one day.

“By her senior year,” said Ichihara, “she’s going to be one of the best players in San Diego.”