Nick Pecoraro
Sports Editor
City College sophomore Marissa Rocha likes to be pitched slightly inside, just about belly button high. That’s where she says her wheelhouse is.
Rocha saved her best offensive performance of the year for what was likely her final home game as a Panther. The City first baseman twice took advantage of her favorite pitch and belted two homers and drove in seven runs on Sophomore Day April 21 against Folsom Lake College at The Yard.
After hitting four home runs as a freshman, the pair against Folsom were Rocha’s first two this season. She was greeted in the dugout by excited teammates who teasingly wondered what took so long.
“They said, ‘Finally!’” Rocha said. “I just was working really hard all year, and it finally clicked.”
Rocha was one of three City sophomores recognized before the April 21 doubleheader. Outfielder Sydney Craft and catcher Jessica Prothero also made their final appearance in the home pinstripes for the Panthers, as City swept the Falcons 8-0 and 10-2, respectively.
“I don’t think it really hit me until they announced everyone, and then I realized, ‘Wow, it’s my last game here,’” said Craft, who leads the team in runs and stolen bases. “I love playing on this field. It’s my favorite field to play on. Now we probably won’t get to play on it again.”
Although the Panthers (23-17) ended the regular season this week on a four-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 29-2 during that stretch, their 13-11 Big 8 record slotted them into fifth place in the conference. Head coach Tim Kiernan feels the team still has an outside chance of making the playoffs but said that it’s very improbable that they’ll have another home game this season.
Regardless of where the games are played, Kiernan said the team has to focus on the fundamentals.
“We’ve pitched well, but we’ve got to hit,” he said. “We’ve got to play defense. I’d bet we’ve lost about 10 games on late-inning defense.”
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The defense has suffered partially due to the absence of Prothero, who Kiernan said has missed the past few weeks due to injury, behind the plate.
Before being sidelined, Prothero was the primary battery option for the Panthers’ pitching staff, which ranks fourth in California in earned run average and sixth in strikeouts. Prothero was tied for first in the Big 8 Conference in fielding percentage among catchers (.994), according to the California Community College Athletic Association’s statistical leaders.
“I think (Prothero’s) done a great job,” said Craft, who mentioned that Prothero was not always a full-time catcher. “I thought she was always a catcher because of how great she was doing back there… She’s awesome. I love her.”
Craft has provided speed at the top of the lineup for the Panthers. She’s hitting .433 this season, which is the third best among Big 8 hitters. Her 27 swipes are the second most in the conference. She tied for the league lead a year ago with 39 steals, which were also the sixth most in a single season by a City College player.
Rocha is batting .328 with 30 RBIs and leads the team with 13 doubles. She started all but one game for the Panthers this season.
“They’re both kind of quiet kids, but they’re our captains,” said Kiernan. “Syd could run, so we wanted her here. Rocha came here a little heavier, but she’s lost about 30 pounds. She’s in the weight room every day. She’s fantastic. They’re both going to get some nice scholarships.”
Craft and Rocha have known each other since kindergarten and grew up playing softball together. The two helped their Yuba City High School team win the Tri-County Conference title as seniors in 2016 before coming to City College. They often hit 1-2 in the lineup this year, and even briefly roomed together during their time at City College.
“We could compare a lot,” said Rocha. “We’ll go out and hit together. We know where each other is struggling and how to help.”
Craft said that although the two have shared many memories on the field, her friendship with Rocha extends beyond the softball diamond.
“(Rocha’s) always been one of my close friends,” said Craft. “It’s been really nice to experience my whole life and growing up and learning the game together.”
For more info on SCC softball, visit www.sccpanthers.losrios.edu/sports/sball/.
