Rams’ softball wins one, loses one vs. West Hills.
GILROY – With a new field and a new team, the Gavilan College softball team has a lot to look forward to this season.
After being shut-out 10-0 in their first game of Tuesday’s double header, the Lady Rams came back strong and returned the favor to West Hills College – winning 9-0.
“The first game no one really came together as a team. Everyone was playing their own game,” second baseman Michelle Alvernaz said. “We just regrouped for the second game.”
In the first game, the Lady Rams used three pitchers – starter Melissa Nicholson (2 innings-pitched) along with relievers Stephanie Denton (2 IP) and Lindsey Cook (1 IP).
“We weren’t ready to play the first game. There’s no question about it. We made some mental and physical errors,” second-year skipper Tim Kentworthy said.
The second game was the Lady Rams from the beginning – scoring four runs in the first inning. By the end of the fourth frame, the locals had a secure 9-0 lead – adding three runs in the fourth inning.
The Lady Rams’ three-run inning started off with a triple by leftfielder Shelby Brown – who was followed by a double from catcher Kristina Denton. Then, pitcher Stephanie Denton shot a bullet out to right field – resulting in a double and the Lady Rams’ eighth run. Gavilan’s last run came from Alvernaz’s single – which scored Denton who had advanced on a groundout by Leann Batinovich.
The Lady Falcons attempted a comeback in the top of the fifth – starting the inning with a leadoff hit. That runner then stole second, which put a runner in scoring position. Denton came back strong though – striking out the next batter for the first out and letting her defense handle the last two.
“Everyone was playing so awesome in the second game,” Denton said.
The Lady Rams have 14 players on their roster, all with previous softball experience. Nicholson is their only returning player from last season. So far the Lady Rams have three wins on the season.
“We’re proud of them. They try hard at what we ask them to do, especially in the hitting category,” Kentworthy said. “It’s going to be a real good season for us.”
Up next, Gavilan will play host Thursday to Laney College at 3 p.m.
