March 18, 2023

A Shutout and a Comeback, Warriors Go 2-0

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By Francisco Claudio
 
The Warriors were ready to get some clear skies and play consistently after some weeks of bad weather that had caused many delays.
 
On Friday Westcliff's softball team visited the University of Antelope Valley for a doubleheader and they were pleased with the outcome, 9-0 and 7-6.
 
In the first game, it was an elite performance from star pitcher Emily Rosas who pitched a shutout while closing it out in just five innings.
 
Rosas had eight strikeouts and only allowed three hits.
 
The mercy rule took into effect in the game as the Warriors were leading by eight or more after five innings ending the first game.
 
Head Coach Vanessa Kellems shared her thoughts: "The team was aggressive at the plate and on bases helped give our defense an ease of mind for Emily Rosas to execute in the circle."
 
The second game couldn't have been any more different than the first as the Warriors went down by five in the first inning which caused Coach Kellems to swap out her pitcher instantly.
 
It was an uphill battle after that as the Warriors had to wait until the fourth inning to make their move.
 
It started with a double by shortstop Airilin Ramirez who would advance to third after a single from center fielder Haley Garcia.
 
Celeste Huffman came up to bat and hit a single that allowed Ramirez to score the first run.
 
It was a barrage from the Warriors after this.
 
Westcliff scored five runs in the fourth which tied the score at 5 apiece.
 
Then in the fifth, they scored two more runs and only allowed one from UAV, concluding the first day with lots of good vibes.
 
"The team really showed some grit and fire in today's second game," said Kellems. "It really says that the team has the drive and ability to fight back till the very last out.
 
"The team utilizes all possible tools and just focuses on getting one run back at a time that helps us get the collective five back."
 
Now the Warriors will turn their focus onto the back end of the doubleheader which takes place today, Saturday, March 18, starting at 12 PM.
 
"I told her team that they have to take it game by game and they can't assume the next two games are in the bag," said Kellems.  "And any team can turn a game around let alone an ending in that we need to come out conspiring and come prepared to win each inning."