Author: Lilliane Ballesteros
Occidental’s Softball team gained their first victory of the season against Wesleyan University on Thursday, March 13. They followed up the 4-3 win with a double head win against Patten University on Sunday, March 16. Thursday’s game against Wesleyan also marked the first win for head coach Jodie Cox since she took the job in August 2007.
“I feel even though these weren’t league wins, they were a huge confidence booster in our team structure and ability,” Alyssa Smith (sophomore) said. “We needed this to help us keep working hard through the rest of the season, and I feel more wins will follow because of our success over spring break.”
Cox commented on the wins, saying, “It was really exciting and the girls deserved it. We also picked up two wins Sunday, so that was awesome for us also.”
The Lady Tiger’s game against Wesleyan started strong as they scored two runs in the first inning. They continued to lead through the inning, despite a run by Wesleyan.
Wesleyan came back after the second baseman stole third base, scoring a run in the fifth. They picked up one more run in the sixth, tying the game at 3-3.
Oxy fought hard in the last two innings as pitcher Kelli Moriguchi (senior) struck the first three batters out, and the team played hard defense to keep the tie through the eighth.
At the bottom of the ninth, shortstop and second baseman Stephanie Egan (first-year) singled. Second baseman Lindsay Gross (first-year) followed this up with a sacrifice bunt that moved Egan over. Oxy enjoyed their first victory as Egan scored when the ball passed Wesleyan’s third baseman. The Tigers ended the game with a 4-3 victory.
Despite double header losses to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on March 15, the Lady Tigers came back strong on March 16, picking up two wins against Patten University.
Oxy started the first game with Patten leading at 4-0 after the first inning. By the end of the fifth inning, the score was tied, with Oxy gaining two runs in the fourth and another two in the fifth.
In the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Gabriela Chavez (first-year) hit the ball to left field and later scored from first, ensuring a 5-4 victory.
The second game saw 21 runs off of 26 hits with Egan, Teresa Brabant (sophomore), Rebecca Nashleanas (junior), Hillary Armstrong (first-year) and Alyssa Escalante (sophomore) each scoring two runs with Escalante hitting a homerun in the fifth.
The game ended with a 11-10 win for the Tigers, giving the team their first double header win of the season.
Several players commented on the victories. “The wins that week really vindicated all the work we have been putting in at practice,” Escalante said. “Coach has really stressed this season how much of a process this game is and to see this process finally pay off for us was a huge encouragement. At this point in the season, we are really trying to keep the winning momentum going. Every practice and game we get stronger in not only our physical game but the mental game as well. I think that is something that we are all very proud of.”
Powell seconded the sentiment, commenting on the team’s strength as a group. “The wins against Patten and Wesleyan were well overdue, but nonetheless took every ounce and every player on our team to accomplish,” she said. “Our first win was the first day we’ve played like a team and picked each other up and executed the things that we all know we can. It was a proud moment because we all have the talent and we all work hard.
“There will be more to come,” Powell said. “We’ve felt what winning feels like and now we’re hungry for more.”
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