The Vaqueros softball team won 4-3 in its first of two games against the Moorpark College Raiders Tuesday afternoon at Pershing Park, but was unable to snag a second win, losing 5-1 in game two.
This was the second time the Vaqueros faced Moorpark this season, their first encounter resulted in a 3-1 loss for City College. This was also the last time that the teams would face each other in the regular season. Going into the doubleheader, the Vaqueros prepared for and expected a close outcome.
“Because of how our first game went against them weeks ago, we knew it was going to be a battle with them both games,” said pitcher Madison McNamee. “And we expected close games.”
As game one got underway, McNamee pitched four straight innings without allowing a single run to score. Unfortunately for the Vaqueros’ offense, Moorpark’s pitcher Caitlyn Vinyard also pitched a four-inning shutout.
“It was a really good pitchers duel,” said head coach Paula Congleton. “Maddie was keeping their batters off balance and their pitcher was doing the same thing to us.”
Going into the fifth inning Moorpark was finally able to get five hits off of McNamee to score the first three runs of the game. The Vaqueros answered back quickly with Lyndsi King hitting a line drive single and Lauren Ballard walking to put runners on first and second. Maggie Jo Jackson then hit a powerful double to score both runners.
The momentum continued when Alyssa-Rae Jewell hit another double, driving in the tying third run. As the inning continued McNamee found herself up to bat with the bases loaded. McNamee hit a deep fly ball to left field, allowing the runner on third to tag up and score for the go-ahead run.
“We kind of woke up in the fifth inning,” said Congleton. “We strung some good hits together and were able to break that open.”
The pitching duel resumed after the fifth inning and neither Moorpark nor the Vaqueros were able to score another run, leaving the final score at 4-3 Vaqueros.
Game two started out with another scoreless first inning for both teams. In the top of the second inning Moorpark was able to pull together their offense to score 4 quick runs but unfortunately the Vaqueros were unable to answer back. Moorpark held off the Vaqueros until they were able to score one run in the fourth inning. Moorpark came back to score one more run in the seventh inning to end the game on top 5-1.
“The frustrating thing for us that’s been the whole season is the back end of the doubleheader,” said Congleton. “We just can’t seem to push over that edge and it’s frustrating.”
The Vaqueros are now 24-8 overall and as the season winds to an end, the coaching staff is taking it one game at a time and is certainly not ready to give up on playoffs.
“The bottom line is, no matter if we make it to playoffs or we don’t, we have had a phenomenal season,” said Congleton. “Not that we are throwing in the towel, that’s not what I’m saying, but we’re going to take it one at a time.”
The Vaqueros will face Pierce College at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Pershing Park.
