Monarchs get their second win in double header

Valley college softball gets their second overall win since Jan. 28.

By Nicholas Orozco, Sports Editor

Freshman Selena Gonzalez winding up to release a pitch as the batter Anahy Carbajal prepares to attempt a bunt. (Nicholas Orozco | Valley Star)

Monarch softball loses one game in double header and responds with 6-1 win over San Diego.

The Monarchs (2-12 overall) hosted the Knights of San Diego City College (3-9 overall) for 14 innings on Saturday and struggled with roster depth. Only using two pitchers on Saturday and losing a player midgame due to an injury, the Monarchs still win one of the two games.

“They’re able to bounce back, hit the reset button, come through and finish the job,” said head coach Andrea Contreras following the double header.

Freshman utility player Selena Gonzalez started on the rubber in the first matchup.

Gonzalez gave the Monarchs a fighting chance by holding the Knights to zero runs up until the fifth inning when back to back hits allowed a run to come home. Pitching into the sixth inning and getting one out before getting switched with sophomore Isabel Ward.

Ward pitched for the remaining inning and two thirds, allowing two back to back runs. The Monarchs not able to score any runs in the seventh, ultimately dropping the first game.

Finishing the first game on the mound, Ward started the next game and threw a one run complete game.

“I was the only pitcher to come in [at the start of the year],” said Ward. “It feels good to have back-up on the field and my teammates help me out.”

The Monarch offense would get started right away in the first inning as freshman Briana Gaskill would hit a sacrifice fly to center allowing sophomore Lexus Freire to tag up from third.

Keeping the offense going, freshman Emely Trinidad hit a double into the left center gap allowing freshman Azcuena Villalta to score. With Freire at the plate she hits a ground ball to the second baseman who made an error, allowing Freire to be safe and Villalta to come home and make the score 3-0 in the second.

The Monarchs did not let up on the gas, as Gaskill hit a single and stole second that was followed up by a double from sophomore Violeta Espinoza and trade places with Gaskill.

With Villalta at the plate and Espinoza on third from a steal, Villalta would get walked on a wild pitch that allowed Espinoza to score. Adding onto the score making it 5-0 in the third.

In the fourth the Knights were able to score their only run off of a double from Ariana Hencke that scored Isabella Macias.

Tragedy occurred as catcher Clarissa Robles’ arm popped out after a swing that resulted in a pop up.

Gonzalez, who pitched in the game prior, would step up and take her position as catcher.

“Always have that plan b or plan c,” said Contreras. “I’ve helped some of these girls become versatile and be ready.”

The offense would cap off in the sixth inning as Gaskill reached third after hitting into an error and allow Freire to score who was on second base, reaching the final score of 6-1.

“They can’t live in the past,” the head coach had said following the offense struggle of the first game and offense come back in the second.

Valley College will travel to face College of the Canyons on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.