Chants resounded at the College of the Canyons softball field as the Lady Vaqs lost to the Cougars in the first game of their doubleheader 10-6 on March 25.
Rebecca Hernandez, the leadoff hitter, walked to first base and quickly stole second. The Cougar coach went out on to the field to argue the call but had little luck.
With two runners on base, Jasmine Hernandez hit a double just out of reach of a Cougar’s glove, bringing in a runner to give the Vaqueros a 1-0 lead.
Vivian Topete walked and loaded the bases for Jessica “Skeeter” Morena. Morena hit an RBI single making the score 2-0. With the bases loaded, Ashley Suarez hit an RBI double, ending the inning with a 4-0 edge for the Vaqs.
“I think we really want it because if we don’t it’s going to put us down. We just have to work together and as a team,” Suarez said.
In the bottom of the fourth, Zavala said, “I can’t see, I can’t see” due to the fact the sun was in her eyes, but she made the catch for the first out. With a runner on first base and a runner on second, the Cougars got rowdy and louder than the innings before. Cougars earned a run which made the score a close game, 4-3. The Vaqueros ended the inning with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the fifth, with runners on first and second base and only one out on the board, an overthrown ball to first base let a Cougar runner score tying the game at 4-4.
Canyons still had two runners on base when they hit a line drive that scored three and gave them a 7-4 lead. The Cougars were able to successfully bunt the ball and get on base and the following batter walked. With two more runners on base, they hit an RBI double, making the score 9-4.
A pitching change was made for Glendale. Gonzalez retired after five innings bringing in Evianne Hernandez. With one runner on and the bases loaded, Canyons was able to bring one more runner for a 10-4 lead.
“It’s very disappointing that we started off really well and our defense let us down in that inning where they [College of the Canyons] came back,” said head coach Sal Pizzo.
Glendale dropped the second of the double header 8-4.
“We have to get the fundamental plays down. Without the fundamentals, we won’t win games.
It’s not about big plays or fancy plays its the basic fundamentals,” Topete said.
The Lady Vaqs will take on the Antelope Valley Marauders at home Thursday.
