It’s been a rocky season for the softball team, who now have a current record of 4-10. Starting with a 6-2 win against the Northview Vikings, the team’s positive start faded after they lost the next five games.
Batting has been a part of why the Lady Rams have struggled so much during the first half of the season. They weren’t able to execute bunts and get runners home as much as needed, which contributed to the lack of runs in games against El Rancho and La Salle, where they lost 15-0 and 13-0, respectively.
After suffering from the absence of runs, the Lady Rams delivered a successful game against San Marino, winning 16-6. The score was tied in the beginning, but eventually the team pulled out ahead, gaining a three point lead by the third inning and shutting down the Titans offense with solid pitching.
In order to increase their sense of camaraderie, the team spends time outside of practices and games to bond, often times going out to eat, or doing special activities such as scavenger hunts.
“At the first practices, if someone were to come watch us, we didn’t really mesh together as a team,” Junior Celina Mesa said. “Once we spent time together, you can see how much we improved as a whole on the field.”
After practicing offensive strategies, the Lady Rams faced Katella tournament champion Mira Costa in back to back games, hoping to potentially gain a couple wins. During the first game, the team was unable to score, losing 12-0. Afterwards, their second try earned them a score of 7-6, ultimately losing although they forced the Mustangs from scoring more than one run after the third inning.
The first few games of the season were experimental, since Coach Bob Ellingsworth placed team members in different positions. The team hopes to improve their standing in the Rio Hondo League as they finish up their last couple games in May, and possibly make it into the C.I.F. playoffs. The team already made it through the first round of C.I.F. last year and Coach Ellingsworth believes they have the ability to surpass the other opponents and make it deeper in the bracket.
“If we play our game, we can beat anybody,” Coach Ellingsworth said. “If they walk on the field and play as hard as they can I have no doubt we’ll not only go to CIF; we’ll win CIF.”
The Lady Rams will face the Monrovia Lady Wildcats on April 28 at 3:30. p.m.