Two runs late in the game by Long Beach gave the softball team a 2-0 loss Tuesday on a new “home” field.

With the EC softball field under construction, the Warriors were forced to find a new home field, and Alondra Park was the closest available field.

“It’s hard to adjust to playing here (at Alondra Park),” sophomore Ginger Martinez said.

“This field is more of a baseball field than a softball field,” freshman catcher Stephanie Hall said. “The infield dirt is a lot tougher than a normal softball field, and the fence is removable.”

After finishing last season with a record of 4-11, the team is optimistic it can finish better, but with the defending state champion team from Mt. San Antonio College in EC’s division, coach Susie Calderon believes the task is not easy.

“They (Mt. SAC) have won the conference for the past four years,” Calderon said. “Without a doubt, they will give us a run for our money.”

Against LBCC, Martinez was matched up against Vikings’ pitcher Sadie Barton. Although the game was scoreless heading into the sixth inning, Barton finished the game with 18 strikeouts, but Hall was encouraged about the outcome.

“Aside from the umpire being inconsistent, Ginger wasn’t hitting her spots,” Hall said. “(The Vikings) just hit the ball where our defense wasn’t.”

Calderon held the same point of view as Hall about Martinez’ performance, and praised the defense displayed by every player.
“Ginger (Martinez) pitched a good game, but the walks came back to haunt her,” Calderon said. “She only allowed five hits the entire game, but our defense has been solid all year, except for the Cerritos game.”

Calderon is extremely optimistic about this year’s team finishing better than last year.

“Our team has a solid bench, and we have a lot of players who can play multiple positions,” Calderon said. “Defensively, we do fine. We just have to wait for our hitting to come around.”
The softball team travels to face defending conference and state champion Mt. San Antonio today.

Monday the women will travel to San Diego Mesa before hosting the against Pasadena City Lancers at home on Tuesday.