A line drive struck a Pierce College softball player in the head during the opener of a double header, Tuesday, Mar. 11 ending in a 7-0 loss to Santa Barbara City College.
Rosa Alcala, third basemen for Pierce, was hit as she attempted to catch the ball that was hit by Dakotah Wilcox.
After being escorted off the field, Alcala was immediately attended to by teammates and staff members. Although Alcala said she felt “okay”, she was unable to return to the game.
Shortly after Alcala’s injury, the game ended after its second inning due to Pierce’s lack of players, according to SBCC’s head softball coach, Paula Congleton.
The second game of the double header was scheduled to take place at 3 p.m.
The two forfeits added to Pierce’s losing streak giving the team’s overall record at 0-8.
The opening game was started off by the SBCC Vaqueros, who by the bottom of the first inning led 4-0 with the help of Danielle de Castro who scored her first in-side the park homerun of the season.
“It felt really good and really solid,” de Castro said. “I haven’t really been doing that well in the beginning of the season so I knew I really had to come out for my team and just hit the ball hard.”
Larry Greto, who is on his first year as an assistant coach for the Pierce’s softball team said he’s focusing on the basics to try and improve the team.
“It’s a learning experience for all just like with anything else,” Greto said. “We’ll work on fundamentals and keep doing better.”
In reference to his plans for the next games, Greto said he expects the team members to play to the best of their abilities and perhaps rearrange the team’s tactics.
“Some girls might move around but that’s pretty much it.” Greto said.
SBCC’s head coach Paula Congleton said she was pleased with her team’s results as they fulfilled her expectations.
“We really needed to focus up at the plate and start to get our hitting back,” Congleton said. “Our defense has always been pretty solid but our hitting has been a little bit down.”
Pierce is scheduled to play a double header against Allan Hancock College on Tuesday, Mar. 18 at 1p.m. and 3p.m. in Santa Maria, Calif.
