One of the few perks of coming off of a 5-35 season is that it’s hard to play much worse.
Injuries and inexperience led to a very forgettable year for the women’s softball team last season, but the team hopes to grow from the experience and can’t wait to get the ball rolling on the upcoming spring season.
“This is the best hitting team I’ve seen in the 10 years I’ve been here,” said head coach Pat Grennan, recipient of the 2005 Western State Conference Coach of the Year award.
“We’re in a really tough conference so we need all the hitting we can get.”
One of the reasons Grennan is excited is the re-addition of second baseman Jesse Ready.
The team welcomed back the power-hitter after she took a year off from the team but chose to return this season.
“I really missed my family and teammates,” said Ready. “We’ve got a lot of talent here and we should be good this year.”
Shortstop and team captain Jamie Domine is equally pleased with the team’s off-season progression.
She looking forward to sneaking up on their opponents.
“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people,” said Domine.
Pitching — a significant weakness last season — should see a vast improvement this year as freshman Alyse Scarmozzino has evolved into the team’s ace.
When pitcher Amanda Mayora went down after the first few games, the team was forced to start freshman Carmen Navaro, who struggled adjusting to her added responsibilities as a starter.
Scarmozzino shined during her two games against Glendale College as a part of the annual Fall Ball exhibition games.
The Brahmas won two out of three games against Glendale, regarded as the third-best team in the state, and finished 4-2 overall.
The team anticipates its success in the spring to translate into wins in the fall, as the coaching staff has made clear their lofty expectations.
“It would be a sin if we didn’t make the playoffs this year,” said assistant coach Jeff Peterson.
“It’s just a matter of if these girls want it or not.”
The softball team will start the season at the Glendale Tournament at Glendale College from Feb. 1 to 3. Their first home game will be Feb. 7 against El Camino College.
Samantha Ford-Howard ()