Mt. SAC Softball pulled through adversity with a bounce back 15-0 victory against LA Harbor on April 9. SAC has recently suffered through injuries, broke through a losing streak with a shutout that put them back in the winning column, improving to 24-8 in the season with 14-4 in their conference.
They instantly took control of the game; scoring seven runs in the first inning and adding another in the second. The game was eventually put away with seven more runs going in the fourth inning.
Freshman pitcher, Zoe Herford (6) allowed zero scores through three innings, striking out six and only allowing a single hit. While freshman infielder, Izel Avalos (11) pitched two scoreless innings and went 1 for 2 at the plate with a double and two RBI.
Herford (6) emphasizsed the team’s performance.
“I just think we all shine together,” Herford (6) said, emphasizing the team’s performance.
Head coach Ruby Rojas, who has been coaching the team for 15 years, said that the adjustment was a struggle at first.
“We had a little bit of a downfall and it was mostly just injuries … identity crisis if you want to state that,” Rojas said.
Rojas added that this is the performance that she is expecting from the team and it is important to work through hardships and get back to winning ways.
“This is who we are … pounding hits and being aggressive and having a lot of good energy,” Rojas said. “So when I say that we’re back, we’re back to who we are.”
Avalos (11) is one of the biggest examples of being a team player and adjusting through . Avalos (11) has stepped into the pitching role because of injuries, while she normally plays middle infielder.
“It was a little bit of a surprise during the season … we unfortunately had a couple of girls injured, so I had to step up and pitch,” Avalos (11) said. “But honestly I just really like that I’m able to help out the team in any way possible.”
A key part of the performance was the return of freshman centerfielder Brooklyn Game (1), who had been injured with a broken thumb and returned against LA Harbor. Game (1) went 1 for 2 and recorded her first collegiate hit, an RBI that went through the 5-6 hole.
“I’m gonna give it to our left fielder Brooklyn Game because she’s been out the entire season with a broken thumb,” Rojas said. “Today was her first time back, and she was able to get her first hit.”
For Game (1) “it feels amazing,” to be playing again.“I just love being on the field with them.”
Mt. SAC Softball’s next home game will be against El Camino on Tuesday April 14 at 1:00 p.m
