Kristopher Hooks | Sports Editor | [email protected]
Panthers sweep Santa Rosa in doubleheader
With three games remaining in the regular season and a playoff birth on the line, City College softball desperately needed to win both games of the April 18 doubleheader against Big 8 Conference rival Santa Rosa Junior College.
The team did just that. The Panthers won both games in the bottom of the fifth inning on a run-rule, with an 8-0 score in Game 1 and a 9-1 score in Game 2.
“We played really well today,” said head coach Tim Kiernan. “I don’t know if we really made any mistakes.”
The Panthers got on the board early in Game 1, scoring two runs on fielding errors by Santa Rosa.
Panthers’ shortstop Kailey Olcott, who played well in both games, hit a solo homerun in the third inning to put the team up 3-0. Later, in the fourth inning, third baseman Taylor McDowell hit a three-run blast over the fence to put the Panthers up 7-0.
“We hit some hard balls, and the two home runs certainly helped us,” said Kiernan. “Sometimes it takes a couple times around [the batting order] to get to the pitcher.”
In the bottom of the fifth, Olcott reached first base after being hit by a pitch. She then got into scoring position when she stole second base. First baseman Erikka Burke walked up to the plate, hit an RBI double to deep left field and brought home Olcott for the winning run.
Santa Rosa had no answers for starting pitcher Jostyn Bebout who threw five strikeouts and allowed only three hits in her second shutout victory of the season.
Game 2 was much of the same, but with a different pitcher. Morgan Welch took to the circle for the Panthers and allowed only one run in her 12th win of the season.
“They both pitched really well today,” said Kiernan. “[Santa Rosa] is a good team. This is a team that beat some of the leaders [in California].”
New research has been viagra online in canada adding to the list of causes of ED. Fortunately, most of the surgeries have a high success rate. side effects viagra The dosage is 100mg and is highly effective in letting a high and cialis on line hard erection for a good long time. There is a holistic viagra 25 mg learningworksca.org and wellness centre in Delhi NCR where you can find counselling and therapy. Olcott led the team on offense and defense in Game 2. She stopped almost every ball that came her way — making only one error — and was responsible five runs including her four RBIs. She also brought in the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
“We made one fielding mistake, but [Olcott] knows why,” said Kiernan. “She’s done a great job for us all year, and she played really well today. She got her feet moving a little fast on that ball, so it kind of tied her up, and that’s a ball you’ve got to be under control and take it and throw it.”
The Panthers finished the game with 12 hits and scored at least one run in all but the second inning. It was a dominant performance by a team desperate for a victory, and Kiernan acknowledged it after the game.
“Our backs were against the wall, and we knew we had to win,” said Kiernan. “I’m proud of this team.”
The Panthers will face Delta College April 21 in the final game of the season. The last time the two teams faced off was in a doubleheader less than a month ago, and City College lost both games by one run.
To add more fuel to the already blazing fire, both teams will head into the game with a potential playoff birth on the line.
“We’re going to come out and give it our all,” said Kiernan. “I’ll tell you what, if we make the playoffs, people aren’t going to want to play this team. This team is too good.”
For more stats and information on City College softball, visit http://sccpanthers.losrios.edu/sports/sball/index
