April 25, 2023
Warriors Take the Doubleheader with Nine Doubles
By Francisco Claudio
Westcliff's softball team played their last conference opponent of the regular season and couldn't have asked for a better result as they prepare for the postseason.
Last Sunday the Warriors finished their series against La Sierra with convincing wins in the doubleheader, 6-1 and 11-1.
Diamond Lewis shined from the start in game one with a single to shortstop that helped bring in Airilin Ramirez home to score the first run.
But that would be just the beginning for Lewis as she stepped up to bat in the top of the third and sent the ball flying out the field for a two-run home run.
At this point, the Warriors would go up 3-0 with all the momentum on their side.
Again, in the next up-to-bat for the Warriors in the top of the fourth, they were able to create more opportunities to score.
Haley Garcia doubled to center field which brought in two runners to score.
Garcia would later cross the plate after a throwing error from third base.
La Sierra was able to get one run in the bottom of the sixth, but everything was in favor of the Warriors.
Starting pitcher Emily Rosas pitched four innings and recorded four strikeouts with only four hits allowed.
Etta Van Burgsteden pitched the remaining three innings and struck out three with three hits and one run allowed.
Both Evette Mendoza and Lewis went 3-4, Garcia 2-4, and Celeste Huffman 2-3.
The Warriors were in high spirits which carried over onto the second game of the doubleheader.
Westcliff scored a run in innings 1,3,4, and 6.
As the ball game headed to the top of the seventh, the Warriors had a three-run lead, 4-1.
And then the barrage from the Warriors began that would extend the lead into double digits.
Mendoza began the onslaught with a double to left field that was followed up by another double from Lewis to right field.
With runners on the corners, Becky Ramos decided to hit a double of her own to left field, bringing home both runners.
Iyari Ramirez and Garcia would also double in what was part of a seven-run inning for the Warriors.
And as soon as the Warriors' were done with the top of the seventh, the baseball game concluded as the mercy rule kicked into effect.
The starting pitcher for Westcliff Nina Hendriks threw all seven innings and had 12 strikeouts with only two hits allowed and one run.
Five players hit doubles for the Warriors, including two from Evette Mendoza.
Head Coach Vanessa Kellems was happy with the results for the day: "The team came out to do work and work on some new plays we've been practicing. It was great to see their hard work resulting in a positive way. It was a big turnaround from Friday's games."
The Warriors are done with conference opponents in the regular season but they have one last series to play this week against Hope International.
On Wednesday it will be a doubleheader starting at 12:00 PM and then one game on Friday with a 2:00 PM start.