Chaffey College Softball vs San Diego City
By Seiana Spencer-Kendrick
The Chaffey College Panthers softball team finally played last month’s rescheduled game against the San Diego City Knights, in a doubleheader on Monday, March 18.
As the softball team warmed up for their game, spirits were high. The team was hyped up by good music, encouraged by teammates and coaches as well as those supporting in the stands.
Game one of the doubleheader was off to a slow start with neither team scoring in the first inning. The second inning, however, was nothing short of active.
The Chaffey College Panthers played a good defense in an active second inning, allowing for no runs to be scored by the San Diego City Knights. In the bottom of the second inning, the Panthers offense allowed them to be the first to score in the game.
With stolen bases moving runners to second and third, a fastball hit down the middle is what led to the first run of the game and a double steal led to another run. This put the Panthers up by two in the top of the third inning.
The Knights came back with a sharp offense, with three hits, a stolen base and a sacrifice run. Stealing a base put runners at the corners allowing for an easy score with a sacrifice bunt. Towards the end of the top of the third, a hard hit down the middle left the score tied 2-2.
Leading off strong in the bottom of the third inning, with a hit into centerfield, a runner for Chaffey was put at second. This was followed by a double which put a runner at second and third, two more runs were scored by a double hit by Kristina Sandoval. With a hit into right field, Chaffey was able to score one run on an error by San Diego City, putting them up by two.
The bottom of the third inning continued with action from the Panthers as Savanah Handley was walked, leaving the bases loaded with only one out. On a steal by Amanda Sera, the Panthers were able to score and move runners to second and third.
Ending the bottom of the third, the Chaffey College Panthers had four hits, a walk and four stolen bases, putting the score at 6-2 with the Panthers in the lead at the top of the fourth.
The game calmed in the fourth and fifth innings, ending with no runs from either team. Chaffey’s defense stood strong at the start of the sixth inning, keeping San Diego from scoring.
Chaffey put on a stellar offense at the bottom of the sixth inning. They scored from a wild pitch, a double steal, and a sacrifice bunt that allowed a runner to move to third base and score after a hard hit into right field. This brought the score to 9-2, leaving Chaffey in the lead going into the final inning.
In a strong finish to the first game of the doubleheader, San Diego City was able to score two more runs, bringing them up to four points at the end of the game.
However, with precise focus and hard work, the Chaffey College softball team was able to bring home a win against San Diego City with a score of 9-4. They continued this winning streak in the second game of the doubleheader beating San Diego City, 11-6.
If you are interested in seeing the Chaffey College softball team in action, their next home game is on March 28 against Palomar, or check out the schedule.