Things didn’t look too bright for our girls of the Yuba College softball team when the season commenced. They had a rough time finding their rhythm as the harsh, dank weather forced them to postpone game after game and hold their practices indoors. As the rain let up and weather conditions improved however, the girls stepped up and finally proved themselves as good players.
“In the beginning of the season it was pretty rough. We had a lot of errors early on, but we came together as a team very well,” commented player #9-pitcher and infielder-Stephanie Chapman, after a victorious game against Napa Valley College on April 20th.
Head Coach Stephanie Reynolds is proud of the effort her girls have made. “My team shows a lot of heart. We’ve gone through some emotional battles, but we’ve come out on top and really worked together as a team,” Reynolds explained.
Coach Reynolds believes that each of her players is a key element to the team as a whole, and the talents of each and every girl are necessary in order for them to have a successful softball season. Throughout the season the girls have learned to work together and compliment each other’s strong points.
“Stephanie Chapman has a heart of gold on the field and she knows exactly what to do with it, so I feel comfortable with her in any position,” said Coach Reynolds, “Player #13, Meghan Hauck, has caught the majority of our games, but #7 Kim Misulich, normally playing outfield, steps right in when Meghan can’t be here. She does a great job behind the plate.”
“Player 23, Crystal Cabrera, is probably our most improved player,” confessed Coach Reynolds, “She’s really eager to learn [and] she’s done some good things at the plate. Player #3, Shawna Warner, has done a great job for us at short. Sienna Trapp, #6, has earned her spot at second base and is doing a great job.”
“Ashley Dedeker (#4) plays third base for me,” said Reynolds, “She hurt herself early on in the season diving for a ball, but she stepped up and she’s done a great job. Player # 15, Lyndsay Akin, is our left fielder, with all guts in the outfield, so nothing drops. It’s fun to watch her play. We’ve got Talia Tupua (#10) from Hawaii, she does a great job in the outfield and center field. She covers a lot of ground.”
“Alicia Avila, player #2, does a good job on the mount for us and in the outfield. Stephanie Cardenas (#12) does a great job at the plate. She’s fast, smart on the bases, and does a great job tracking down in the outfield,” Reynolds added, “I really have an outstanding set of players. A good hardworking group.”
Though the season didn’t quite turn out as Coach Reynolds and our 49er girls had hoped it would, the girls played their hearts out, proving to their fans that nothing would get them down. The girls may not have made it to the playoffs this season, but just wait until next spring!
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