GIRLS’ SOFTBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2012-13–
(Scrimmages do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for girls’ softball features. For a simple overview of scores and upcoming games, check the Spring sport box scores, 2013 for dates, opponents and times for all Eagle sports.)

Be sure to visit the 2012-13 girls’ softball schedule, home page, or check out Maxpreps.com. The Eagles are currently 2-6 overall and 0-0 in the West Sequoia League as of April 5. The Eagles will next play against the Parlier Panthers, April 8.

ROOSEVELT TRIUMPHS OVER FC, 14-4
The Eagles hosted the Roosevelt Rough Riders in their eighth and final non-league game of the 2012-2013 season, April 5. The Rough Riders scored four runs in the first inning, which FC was able to answer with only one. The second inning produced one run for each team, and in the third inning, both teams earned two runs, making the score 7-4.

Roosevelt batted in seven runs in the fourth inning, which were unanswered by the Eagles, but they did not score in the fifth inning. FC was unable to capitalize on their last opportunity to score, and the Rough Riders emerged victorious by a score of 14-4.

Sophomore Ashley Garcia thought that the team’s performance was better than it has been in previous games, despite their defeat. According to Garcia, there was more communication and encouragement. However, she saw that the Eagles have much to work on at the plate and in the field based on the result of the game.

“We did well overall, better than our past games, and even though we lost, we tried hard” Garcia said. “I think our communication amongst ourselves was a lot better and our pitching and throwing improved. We definitely need to work on not looking at three strikes, though, and we need to hustle to ground balls. They are really just simple mechanics.”

Garcia felt that the Eagles lost the game due to a lack of efficiency defensively and to the team’s difficulty connecting with the ball when the girls were up at bat. She believes that these issues are fixable, since it is only a matter of execution of plays, but she knows that in order to succeed in league, the team will have to add some effort and spirit to their game.

“We lost because we didn’t hit well,” Garcia said. “The other team was also hitting bombs to the outfield and we weren’t getting them in the infield in time. We also missed many easy and simple plays, and we need to work on that. As we go into league, I’m hoping to see a lot more aggression and passion to win the game, and for everybody to play to the best of their abilities.”

Assistant coach Audi Tamondong was a little disappointed with the lack of passion and desire to play that she saw from the team on Friday, and she believes that the girls’ lack of execution was a direct result of this. As the team is now in league play, she knows that in order for the Eagles to experience success, the general attitude needs to change.

“We had a team talk, and hopefully morale will improve,” Tamondong said. “We lost Friday’s game because we don’t execute. Now that we are in league, we need to improve on showing up as a team to play ball.”

This writer can be reached on Twitter at @JennaWeimer42.

For more information, see the April 2 article, Softball sport shorts: Kings Christian.