The Santa Rosa Junior College softball team (7-3) extended its seven-game winning streak after sweeping Modesto Junior College (5-3) in a doubleheader on March 15 at home.
“I feel good about where we are,” head coach Madison Green said. “We had some early-season struggles but we’ve been able to right the ship and find our groove. This group is focused on improving every day and that’s been great to see.”
Game 1
Freshman pitcher Mia Avila started the first game for the Bear Cubs and recorded 10 strikeouts while allowing only one run.
Avila has pitched 80 ⅓ innings with a 3.31 ERA in her first season with SRJC. She is currently fourth in wins in the Big 8, recording seven wins through the teams first 22 games. She is also third in strikeouts with 61.
With two outs in the top of the third, Bear Cubs freshman catcher Alexis Hoke rifled a ball down to second and threw out Modesto freshman center fielder Kayleen Zayehmoureh on an attempted steal.
In the bottom of the third Santa Rosa sophomore left fielder Kali Garcia got the Bear Cubs’ party started with an RBI single. Freshman center fielder Mira Olvera and pitcher Mya Gonzalez followed with two RBI doubles of their own. Sophomore first baseman Sofia Uricoechea followed up with a single to left field, adding two more runs for the Bear Cubs to go up 5-0 through three innings.
Modesto got runners on early but didn’t manage to score until the top of the fifth.Freshman second baseman Niueni Elisara answered in the bottom of the inning when she grounded out to Modesto shortstop Sophia Coronado, scoring Hoke in to make it 7-1.
Strong pitching, solid defense and early scoring allowed SRJC to take the first game, 8-1.
Freshman shortstop Kylee Bauman is excited about the progress the team has made this season.
“I am so proud of my girls for showing up and trusting the work we have been putting in all year,” Bauman said. “Whether it be practicing in the pouring rain or 40-degree weather, the hard work doesn’t stop. We showed up knowing we were going to face great pitching and came about it with grit and never lost our poise.”
Game 2
Freshman pitcher Mya Gonzalez started on the mound for the Bear Cubs to start game two. Gonzalez currently ranks fourth in the conference in earned run average with a 2.45 ERA in 65 ⅔ innings.
Gonzalez held her own on the mound, allowing only four hits and no runs. In the batter’s box she delivered two RBIs, one from a sacrifice fly to center field in the third and another on an RBI single to left field in the sixth.
Freshman center fielder Mira Olvera dominated offensively, coming through with three triples and four RBIs.
“I feel pretty good about my overall progress so far this season,” Olvera said. “There’s always room for improvement but I’m happy with how far I’ve come from the beginning of the season. I’m learning a lot and growing with each game. Every game is competitive so it’s a great opportunity to test ourselves as a team and show all the hard work we’ve been putting in.”
Following the two wins against Modesto, the Bear Cubs went 0-2 in a doubleheader against Cosumnes River on March 21 and will look to bounce back against San Joaquin Delta on March 25.
Alumni Day
After the double header, alumni from the softball program were invited to participate in a home run derby.
Dr. Monica Ukhubo, head athletic trainer and pre-sports medicine program director for SRJC, participated as an alumna by gently tapping a bunt down for her only at-bat during the derby.
To end the festivities, coach Green stepped up to the batter’s box and took soft-toss pitches from assistant coach Doug Beuscher as her former and current players looked on with glee.
“It was awesome seeing alumni from each class I’ve coached here,” Green said. “I’m so thankful they were able to come back and we’re excited to make this an annual event that continues to grow.”
