Things couldn’t have gone more wrong last season for the Yuba College softball squad, finishing the year at a dismal 3-32. With the 2002 season kicking off this past weekend, things could not have gone more right, with Yuba sweeping a double header against the visiting Feather River Eagles 2-1 in the first game, and plastering them 7-0 in the second.
Freshman starting pitcher Marisa Vodden took to the mound for both games, earning victories in each, despite a shaky first inning in her debut. Vodden was not used to the tight strike zone being called by the umpire, and walked four batters to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Coach Stephanie Reynolds sensed she needed to calm her flustered freshman and called timeout. When Vodden took to the mound after the team huddle, she took control of the game, and the Eagles, as she struck out 19 batters through the two games, pitching a no-hitter in the second match.
The right-hander is no stranger to winning, as she posted a 19-2 career record at Marysville High, and seemed to have no problem becoming a core player of the 49er squad, helping to put the memory last season behind them for good.
Fellow newcomer to the 2002 team, centerfielder Kortney Hendrix had a big day at the plate, going 4 for 5. Hendrix drove in three runs on as many hits, with a two-run double in the second game. Left fielder Erin Porter also knocked in a run on a double during that game. Freshman catcher Sonja Mitchell chimed in a pair of hits in each game, adding to Yuba’s total offense for the day.
With the team’s next opponent, Lassen, coming into town for a double header on Tuesday, Yuba has an opportunity to match, and overcome last season’s win total of three, possibly in as many games, giving fans something to cheer about this year at the park.
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