Playing in their final game as EC softball players, six sophomores were honored and lead the way to the very last out but sixth ranked Cerritos College proved to be too much.
The Warriors lost to sixth ranked Cerritos College, 10-5, Tuesday in their last South Coast Conference game of the season. They lost 9-6 to College of the Canyons on Monday as well as a loss to Mt. Sac 8-0 in 5 innings last Thursday.
“This team has so much fight.” Elaine Martinez, coach, said. “I’m really proud of them.”
Cerritos College scored first in the bottom of the first inning and then again in the third inning making the score 3-0. The Warriors stormed back by scoring all five of their runs in the bottom of the third inning.
“Cerritos is one of the top teams in our conference,” Martinez said.
The Warriors had the game in hand until Cerritos caught fire in the top of the sixth inning where they scored seven unanswered runs. Cerritos had 17 hits and no errors while the Warriors had eight hits and four errors.
From the dugout, the chant “Let’s start strong and finish strong” was said by coaches and players alike.
Priscilla Cardona, shortstop, Olutunmike “Aisha” Salami, outfielder, Yazmin Antonio, rightfielder, Kendall Roles, infielder, and Jacklyn Peyrefitte, third baseman and pitcher, each scored a run. Marissa Merced, first baseman and pitcher, went 1-for-3 as well as pitching four innings
“My most memorable moment I think would be the 8-inning games and the fight at the end of those games,” Cardona said. “This team battled to win.”
Alia Williams, left fielder, Eliana Gomez, Roles, second baseman and pinch hitter, Antonio, and Santacruz combined to go 4-for-13 with two RBIs and two runs scored in their final game as Warriors.
“Your teammates are always going to help you out when you’re down and pick you up, “ Gomez said.
Antonio was 2-for-2 and finished the season with 23 hits and a .371 batting average which was third on the team. Williams finished the year with a .475 batting average, 38 hits, 36 runs scored and a .788 slugging percentage which were all tops on the team as well as leading the SCC with 36 stolen bases.
“We just battled with one of the top teams in California,” Martinez said. “I’m really proud of them.”
In regards to what she will take away from her career at EC, Gomez said, “being a part of a team and knowing others can help you out throughout your life.”
The Warriors’ final record overall is 11-19 and 8-13 in conference play. The Warriors’ 11 wins matches their total for the last two years combined. It is their highest win total since they won 18 games in 2008.
“This year’s team is a lot different from last year’s team because of the coaching staff,” Gomez said. “This team is like a family, my second family.”
