Center fielder Drew Moore makes All-OEC Second Team

Drew Moore finished the season with the top batting average of the Lady Gauchos. (Saddleback Athletics)

If one were to catch themselves at a Saddleback College women’s softball game and looked out onto the field, at the center fielder position would be freshman Drew Moore. Moore is a freshman infielder/outfielder from Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and a graduate from Tesoro High School in 2015.

This was Moore’s first season with the Lady Gauchos and she was able to put up big numbers for the team as she led the squad with a .405 batting average, 45 hits, and 28 runs scored. Those numbers were good enough to get her nominated and chosen for the Orange Empire Conference All-Second Team.

“I found out the day after they made the decisions and I was just really excited to know that I was chosen for Second Team and to be recognized by all the coaches, it was a real honor,” Moore said.

Each year the coaches from each conference team come together and nominate players from their teams that they believe did well enough to be recognized. The coaches then vote for each players on whether they will make All-OEC First Team or Second Team. Moore was one of two Lady Gauchos to be chosen for second team with sophomore Samantha Molina.

“Drew grew up a lot throughout the year, she kept everyone loose, and she is just really personable,” said Saddleback softball Head Coach Nick Trani. “I look forward to seeing her progress next year and take the reigns of the team.”

While at Tesoro Moore was an First-Team All Sea View League selection, scholar athlete, and captain of the team. Although high school athletics is much more different compared to college, Moore was ready for it.

“The pace of the game is much faster than compare to high school, we are constantly learning new things and always trying to stay ahead, ” Moore said.

The Gaucho softball team had a pretty slow start to the season, but eventually picked it up towards the end but it was too late. The team finished with an overall record of (18-19) and finished conference (11-10) but missed out playoffs.

“We really mature as a team together towards the last half of the season I just wish we figured it out earlier,” Moore said.

She is hoping that the return of a bunch of freshman will help the team be ready at the start of next season and hopefully make the playoffs and make a run at the state title.

Moore does not only excel on the field but she is also is an outstanding student off the field. At Tesoro she was part of the honor roll and plans to major in chemistry.

“Yeah I’m crazy about that math and science stuff,”Moore said.

The Gauchos are returning the majority of their starters and look to bounce back next year.

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