Rams softball gets season’s first win
By Ryan Kuhn
The Guardsman
After being down by eight runs after the first two innings, sophomore outfielder Megan McGuire spoke up.
“Let’s go! I want home runs from everyone,” she shouted.
City College kept the pressure on their opponent to come away with their first victory of the season, defeating Contra Costa College 16-13 on Feb. 21 after back-to-back home runs in the top of the third to start an eight-run inning.
Head coach Jack McGuire was pleased with the first victory of 2011.
“It feels good. I’m glad for the players,” he said. “They have been working hard and they deserve it.”
Because of an injury to pitcher Yennifer Mendoza, sophomore pitcher Louisa Saucedo took the mound again just after she pitched a double header against Foothill on Feb. 15.
Although she gave up 13 runs on nine hits, she never let the Comets run away with the game.
Freshman shortstop Rae Walsworth led the Rams with two big home runs and four RBIs.
She knows how important it is to out-hit her opponent.
“Our team counts on our offense so much, so it was great that I hit those two home runs,” Walsworth said.
Other notable performances for the Rams were Megan and Shawn McGuire who combined for four RBIs. Saucedo also finished with three hits and two RBIs.
In the top of the fourth inning, Contra Costa regained the lead with three runs on a double but City College’s players know how important it is to keep their spirits up.
“It’s very important to keep our motivation up because we have a tendency to drop it,” Walsworth said. “We have to work on being mentally tough.”
The Rams kept chipping away at the lead until the bottom of the sixth inning, where Megan McGuire drove in Walsworth and Patrice Bryant with a single up the middle.
Although she feels the team is moving in the right direction with a victory in their first home game, Walsworth says there is a long way to go in the season.
“We still have a lot to work on, but if we come together as a team we have potential,” she said.
The next game for City College will be against Ohlone College on the road in Fremont. First pitch is at 3 p.m.
Email:
rkuhn@theguardsman.com