"Six of the nine in the starting lineup for our season opener were freshmen." said head coach Jim Fisher as his team was practicing in preparation for games this coming weekend against Sequoias and Cabrillo.

 

"Athletically we will be ok. College softball is college softball and for a lot of these players it's their first time out there. It's a long season. Once the light goes on and the scoreboard turns on and it matters weird stuff happens that you cannot predict. We just have to make sure every day that we get better."

 

While last year's team had some older players because of covid that isn't the case this season as just three sophomores were in the opening day lineup including Caitlynn Campbell as she picked up right where she left off last season going 3-for-3 with two doubles and a stolen base. 

 

Sophomore's Erica Tovar and Cheyenne Torrez also were in the starting lineup for the season opening loss earlier this week as Tovar was fourth last season with her 22 runs batted in while Torrez had 14 runs batted in last season while manning the hot corner.

 

Ariel Nava and Jaylee Marshall were among the newcomers that saw time in the season opener as Nava got the start in the circle and Marshall batted third in the lineup and was one of three Mustangs with a hit in the first game of the season. Nava last season at St. Mary's struck out 174 batters while Marshall comes from Sacramento-area softball power Sheldon where she was one of the Huskies leading hitters last season with a .444 average. 

 

While the weather caused their home opener to be pushed back, they will continue to be on the road until hopefully playing their first home game on Saturday February 17th at 10:00am against Ohlone and at 2:00pm against Fresno City.