The City College softball team got a boost from freshman players in their debuts as they won Wednesday at Pershing Park 7-1 over L.A. Mission.
This game had initially been scheduled for February 7th but was canceled due to rain, meaning that the season started a week later than was scheduled.
“I was just really excited to get out there with the team and finally play in my first game,” said freshman Alyssa Richter (No.12).
The first inning set the tone for the whole game. Monica Salas (No. 17) drove in the first run of the game. Two errors by the L.A. Mission Eagles led to three more runs for the Vaqueros, putting them up 4-0 early on.
“A first inning like that gives us more confidence, said City College head coach Paula Congleton. “The game is a lot more fun and we can play a lot more relaxed when we have a lead like that early on.”
The Lady Vaqueros tacked on another run in the second inning, despite having nobody on with two outs. A walk and error led to an RBI single by Richter.
In the third inning, freshman Michaela Peters (No.18) drove in a run for City College giving them a 6-0 lead after three innings.
The final run for the Vaqueros came in the fourth inning. Richter added on to her debut with a solo homer that was a no-doubter off the swing of the bat.
The debut of Richter left her head coach feeling good about what she brings to the team.
“It was a great debut for our freshman shortstop”, said Congleton. “We are excited to have her on the team.”
Despite the lack of full-field practices due to all of the rain, coach Congleton thought her team played very well.
“We did really well. Especially considering that we haven’t been able to use the field for two weeks.
The team had not been able to have a full-field practice until Monday.
Starting Pitcher Madison McNamee (No.19) pitched three hitless innings while striking out seven in 10 batters faced, but one advanced on error.
In relief of McNamee, freshman Calista Wendell pitched the final four innings, giving up just three hits and one run in 13 batters faced. She recorded her first career save.
Richter finished her debut 2-4 with her first career home run and two RBIs.
Richter wasn’t the only freshman to start off their college career on a strong note, as Michaela Peters and Sloane Greely (No.22) also got their first career hits. The freshmen players combined for four of the team’s six hits.
Richter is excited by the win but knows that the team can’t let that distract them.
“A win like this gets us off on the right foot,” she said. “We need to come out with even more energy against Imperial Valley.”
The City College softball team plays the next four games on the road before coming home February 23rd against Oxnard.
