Staff Writer
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| Third baseman Mindy Greenwaldt forces out a runner from Victor Valley/ Photo by Robert Villapudua |
“It was good; it felt good coming off my bat. The defense is getting better every game. I was a little nervous pitching against Mount San Antonio since this was my first collegiate game pitching. Struggles are going to happen and I will learn from my mistakes", said Farinas.
“I always have confidence at the plate, once everyone else starts hitting well, we can cause a lot of damage. There is always going to be pressure. I hit 4-4 in the previous game, which were all singles and scored a run. Whenever a pressure situation comes, I try to put a bat to the ball,” Stephanie Medina said.
“When we come out hard, we come out as hard as we can against Victor Valley and we need to work together as a team,” Farinas said.
“2011 was a good year. We had power hitters and this year is more contact hitters, there is just no comparison. Victor Valley was not really too hard to face last year. So we have a good chance against them this year,” Medina said.
Peters shut down the Victor Valley Rams in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half of the inning, AVC’s Destinee King hit an infield single, stole second base and reached third on the throwing error. Farinas drove her in with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead in the first. Michelle Cannon hit a single but failed to score in the inning.
Peters gave up a two-run single to the Rams’ Laurel Supercant, which gave the Rams 2-1 lead in the top of the second inning. The Rams picked up a run in the top of the third inning to make the score 3-1.
The Marauders’ Jessica Saldana drove in a run in the bottom half to cut the lead to 3-2. The Rams picked up a run to increase their lead 4-2.
The Marauders started their comeback in the bottom of the fourth. “When I get a hold of a pitch, I can hit a home run,” center fielder, Mandy Dale, said.She did get a hold of a pitch she liked as she hit a long home run to center field to cut the Rams’ lead to 4-3. Taylor Anderson singled and Shaunna Purkey reached on an error, and Anderson scored the tying run.
In the top of the fifth inning, AVC’s Farinas replaced Peters, Jasmine Najar came to play right field, Anderson shifted from shortstop to second base and Purkey moved from right field to play shortstop. Farinas shut down the Rams hitters in the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Medina hit a single and Najar ran for her. Najar stole both second and third base while Dale drove her in with a sharp single to center. Dale stole second base and Purkey drove her in with a two-run home run to right field. The Marauders led 7-4.
The score held up as Farinas picked up her first collegiate win.
“Mandy’s home run was a huge turning point. Without her and Shaunna’s home runs, we might have lost that game,” Coach Cindy Vargas said.
“Shaunna will need to move to shortstop when Breanne pitches since Taylor moves to second base. Purky hits left or right depending on the situation,” Vargas said.
“Breanne is progressing very well, with her and Nicole as our only two pitchers right now; we need to utilize them appropriately. Breanne is also great at second so our defense is strong when she is at second. However, we need her to pitch; she is doing a good job of keeping hitters off balance,” Coach Vargas said.
“As far as when she starts a game and when she relives, it will most likely be a day-by-day decision. No matter who the opponents are we have to come out with 100 percent positive attitude. If we cut down on walks, play good defense and hit well, we have a chance in every game we play,” Coach Vargas continued.
The Marauders play at Chaffey on March 21 and against Rio Hondo on March 23.
