Crushing blow for the Corsairs
On Tuesday, April 3, the Santa Monica College (SMC) women’s softball team (2-11) were defeated by the Moorpark College (MC) softball team (17-9), 33-1. The Corsairs, currently seventh in the Western State Conference North Division, came into this matchup hoping to improve after their last matchup against Ventura College where they lost 20-1. On the other hand, the Raiders, who sit in third, approached the match with confidence after defeating Chaffey College 7-0.
The Raiders started off aggressive in the top of the first inning as center fielder Mia Gregory, who walked to first base, stole second and third base while infielder Leah Cowans was batting an 0-2 count against Corsair pitcher Elizabeth Martinez. Cowans doubled straight to center field, bringing Gregory home for an RBI double, leading to the beginning of a dominant inning.
RBI doubles from catcher Kylie Kolkowski and pitcher Amanda Smith, together with RBI singles from first baseman Kailey Greene and right fielder Ashlyn Olson, led to their strong five-run inning which loomed over the Corsairs. The inning came to an end when third baseman Taytem Reyes tried to bunt the ball after moving out of the batter's box and was called for the third out via a batter interference.
In response, the Corsairs tried to answer with that same aggression, but failed to replicate what the Raiders were able to achieve. In the bottom of the first, Corsairs’ shortstop Anahys Patino struck out as left fielder Danaly Santos and first baseman Hal’ia Jimenez both grounded out to Smith.
The momentum that the Raiders brought in the first continued throughout the second inning, as they were able to score four runs thanks to key RBI singles from Greene and Olsen, an RBI double from Smith and a sacrifice fly from Cowans to bring Gregory home from third base.
“We just saw the ball, (and) we hit the ball well… We took extra opportunities on the bases and we just had fun,” said Raiders head coach Delaney Diaz on their aggression throughout the game contributing to their win.
Trailing by nine, the Corsairs never failed to keep their spirits up throughout the game despite another disappointing inning as they finished the bottom of the second scoreless.
The key moment in the inning came from second baseman Jasmine Arana, who hit a double as the ball ripped through center field with a loud cheer from the Corsairs from the bench. This would be short-lived nevertheless as the Corsairs struck out quickly, failing to capitalize on the momentum.
The Corsairs continued to remain scoreless throughout the game as the Raiders continued to pummel the Corsairs by scoring 24 runs during the final three innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, with the result seemingly set in stone, the Corsairs continued to fight right until the end. This contributed to their best performance in the game starting when Arana was struck by a pitch, automatically moving her to first base. Outfielder Cynthia Carino was brought in to pinch run for Arana to give the Corsairs a chance to score a run.
Catcher Dayanara Rojas stepped up to the plate and singled to right field to advance Carino to second as center fielder Gabriela Molina grounded out to first but advanced the runners to second and third base. Third baseman Jade Patlan became the hero for the Corsairs as her sacrifice ground ball brought home Carino to score a run while cheers from the crowd and bench exploded in celebration.
“We could have just gone out there and just thrown our hands up, but we didn't. We stuck in there to the last inning, got an extra one… so (it) took a goose egg foot away from them,” said Corsairs head coach Christine Druckman after the Corsairs fought to score a run.
The cheer ended early as right fielder Joelie Mathisen grounded out to first, ending the game 33-1, the Corsairs’ biggest defeat of the season.
“Honestly, I feel pretty disappointed,” said Martinez after the game, “I did my best… we just needed to (be) better (at) hitting and building (off of each other)… Either way, we don't give up and that's the thing that matters.”
The Corsairs will have a short break before traveling away to Santa Barbara where they’ll face Santa Barbara Community College on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:30 p.m.