April 8, 2023

Warriors Get Split, Hands ERAU First Cal Pac Loss

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By Francisco Claudio
 
Westcliff's softball team was ready to take on the challenge that Embry-Riddle would present as they hosted the first doubleheader in the four-game series.
 
On Friday afternoon the Warriors accomplished what no one has done this season in the Cal Pac Conference, win a game against ERAU.
 
Westcliff split the first doubleheader losing the first game 3-0 and winning the second game, 2-1.
 
Westcliff came into this series in the third spot in the conference and will stay in that spot with an overall record of (20-13) and a conference record of (14-7) after Saturday's games.
 
The first game didn't have the first run scored until the top of the fourth and then again in the top of the sixth for Embry-Riddle.
 
The Warriors weren't able to connect enough with their bats and ended the first game with only two hits and no runs scored.
 
One positive from the first was the solid pitching from Nina Hendriks who pitched six innings and recorded 11 strikeouts with only three hits allowed and one run scored.
 
But even though the results didn't go the Warriors' way in the first game, there was a feeling of confidence that Westcliff had enough to match and overtake the No.1 team in the conference.
 
And the Warriors proved that quickly at the start of the second game.
 
Westcliff wasted no time getting on the scoreboard after a single to right field by Celeste Huffman that brought in Haley Garcia for the 1-0.
 
Then again, in the bottom of the third, the Warriors delivered another punch as Evette Mendoza singled to left field and allowed Huffman to bring it home for the 2-0.
 
ERAU tried to make a comeback in the top of the seventh but fell short with only one run scored.
 
Starting pitcher in the second game for Westcliff Sierra Danna was solid and composed and finished the job she started.
 
Although Danna allowed 10 hits, she was able to get out of some intense innings with some clutch pitching and help from the defense.
 
Head Coach Vanessa Kellems shared her thoughts on the split: "We really worked with our pitchers making sure we were adjusting our pitches and trying to read the batters really well. Definitely, they felt like a strong team but we felt like we were in the games."
 
The Warriors are not shy about trying different ideas and options in order to give themselves the best chances.
 
In the first game, Hendriks was subbed out after only a couple of innings of pitching.
 
"Our original logic was to only have Hendriks pitch two to three innings, then have Etta pitch another two innings, and then go with Sierra Danna for another two innings and potentially finish with Ayanna," said Kellems. "Just to give them more things to adjust and not get used to one pitcher's speed. 
 
"Changing the lineup definitely made an impact but we just take it game by game. Getting our head's mentally ready when hitting-wise and giving other hitters a chance to anticipate what's coming next."
 
The Warriors will be satisfied with the results from Friday which will give them confidence going into the second doubleheader on Saturday, April 8.
 
"Just take it game by game, we got one win today, one loss today," said Kellems. "Tomorrow's a completely new game and they're going to be a completely new team. 
 
"Rest, visualize, and watch the game film and think about the adjustments that we need to make for tomorrow."
 
Westcliff is ready for another challenge, and they've proved that the better the opponent, the better they play to match that level.
 
The first pitch on Saturday will be at 11:00 AM.