The freshman class led the way for the Santa Rosa Junior College softball team (2-0) as they opened up the 2025 season with two wins in a double header against Hartnell (0-2) at home on Friday, Jan. 24.
“There’s a great mix of energy, talent, and hunger to improve,” head coach Madison Green said about the 2025 squad. “Right now, we’re focused on fine-tuning fundamentals, building chemistry, and dialing in on situational plays to make sure we’re prepared for anything that comes our way in conference play.”
Game 1
Mia Avila was first up on the mound for the Bear Cubs in game one. The true freshman pitcher threw 130 ⅓ innings with a 4.03 ERA for Windsor High School in 2024.
Avila set the tone for the Bear Cubs in a big way, pitching a complete game with four strikeouts.
She got into a bit of trouble, allowing four hits and six walks, but pitched out of jams and only allowed two runs while stranding 10 runners on base.
The Bear Cubs wasted no time in the bottom of the first, taking a 2-0 lead on a two-run double by freshman catcher Alexis Hoke.
In the bottom of the second inning, Avila hit an RBI single up the middle to secure the third run for SRJC. After a popup to second base gave the Bear Cubs their second out, a tough play made by the Panther defense resulted in a run-down with right fielder Kali Garcia, who would ultimately be tagged out at home.
Hartnell scored their only runs in the top of the third, plating two on a two-run shot by left fielder Kalea De Leon.
After a two-out triple in the bottom of the seventh, Avila saved the game by catching a line drive comebacker for the final out, sealing the 3-2 win.
Following the win, Green expressed her excitement in seeing freshmen progress – both in the game and in their relationships with each other.
Freshman Niueni ‘Ninu’ Elisara, who comes from Honolulu, Hawai’i, says that being far from home has been a big adjustment but credits her successful transition to her parents, the team and her coaches.
“I’m feeling amazing after the first game. Yes I am far from home so the adjustment has been a little difficult but also super smooth for the fact that I have a great support system back home but also up here,” she said. “My teammates and coaches all look after me like I’m one of their own so it helps a lot being an out-of-state student.”
Elisara shared that her parents surprised her and flew from Hawai’i on a red eye flight to see her play.
“My mom and dad do so much for me and for them to come watch my first game meant everything to me,“ she said.
Game 2
True freshman pitcher Mya Gonzalez threw another complete game for the Bear Cubs in game two, going seven innings, allowing six runs and four walks.
Mya Gonzalez is another local transplant, hailing from Petaluma High School. Gonzalez recorded an ERA of 4.25 in 56 innings in the 2024 season.
Game two started in favor of the Panthers, who went up 2-0 on an RBI double followed by another run on a passed ball.
The Bear Cubs answered back in abundance in the bottom of the first when center fielder Mira Olvera hit a three-run home run to left field. The home plate umpire initially ruled that a player from the Bear Cubs was in fair territory prior to Olvera coming up to the plate, but after consulting with the first base umpire, decided to issue a warning to the home team in lieu of taking a run for the alleged infraction.
SRJC struggled to regain momentum as the Panthers put up three runs at the top of the fifth. After an RBI double to left field by Hoke, sophomore Gabby Schenone hit an RBI single up the middle, bringing freshman Brook Myhre home to tie the game against Hartnell in the bottom of the fifth.
Schenone, who is in her final season with the Bear Cubs, is grateful to get to do what she loves. “It makes me think about the athletes at SSU,” she said. “My heart goes out to all of them this season. You never know when it’s going to be your last game, last play, last hit, so I’m just excited and grateful and going to play every game like it’s my last.”
Gonzalez put two runners on in the top of the seventh but worked out of the jam to seal the 7-6 win and move the Bear Cubs to 2-0 to open the season.
“There were a lot of bright spots,” Green said. “We’re seeing the hard work from practices translate into games, which is always rewarding as a coach. That said, there’s always room for improvement. We’re focusing on consistency—stringing together quality at-bats, staying sharp defensively and maintaining our energy from start to finish”.
While the double header against Butte on Friday, Jan. 31st has been postponed, the Bear Cubs will look to build on their 2-0 record with a double header away against San Mateo on Tuesday, Feb. 4 before returning home to go against West Valley on Saturday, Feb. 8.
