Fastpitch team sweeps up 7-1 on opening day
Lauren Molina (Shannon Patrick)
The Gauchos fast-pitch softball team opened the 2009 season last Tuesday with a 7-1 victory over San Diego Mesa.
Taking the mound for the Gauchos was sophomore Lauren Molina who pitched a complete game one-hitter, while striking out eight Olympians. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Molina also hit a two-run homerun in the sixth inning to put the Gauchos well in the lead. She finished with three hits on the day along with the two RBI.
“Lauren is a strong player who is very determined,” said coach Nick Trani.
The Gauchos were clinging to a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, until they exploded for four runs.
“We didn’t hit the ball until the sixth inning, but you could see what we were capable of doing that inning,” Trani said. “Being the first game out of the shoot, it was very satisfying to get the win.”
Although the players seemed a bit disheveled, they pulled it together in the end, working together as a team determined to start the season on top.
“I told the girls they would make some errors, but with playing experience the mistakes should go down,” Trani said. “I liked how the girls were focused and aggressive.”
The Gauchos will host Cerritos today at 3:00 p.m. The Gauchos will also take part in the Green and Gold tournament in Irvine this Friday and Saturday. Games will occur all day.