Gilroy – As the losses have piled up in a frustrating season for the Gavilan softball program, the Rams have remained focused on finding positives. Wednesday was no different.
Despite suffering a 17-0 loss to mighty West Valley College, California’s top-ranked junior college team, Gavilan (0-14) was optimistic enough to look for improvements beyond the final score.
And one of those was to hold the Vikings scoreless in at least one inning. Check.
Already leading the freshmen-laden Rams 11-0, West Valley (28-2) put together a two-out rally to load the bases in the fourth. But Gavilan starting pitcher Cortney Almaguer gave her team a needed boost with by striking out Narissa Marichalar to get the Rams out of the inning unscathed.
“That’s a huge thing against West Valley,” said Almaguer. “That’s huge.”
“[The scoreless inning] was one of our goals today … and we actually accomplished that,” said Gavilan head coach Nikki Dequin-Thompson, who detailed a few of the Rams’ other objectives. “Try to stay in the game even when you’re getting rolled over; our focus and our intensity … those are the little things you have to focus on.”
After losing its first 13 games while fielding a roster consisting only of freshmen, Gavilan knew that its first win of the season would be tough to secure against West Valley. Sure enough, the Vikings struck for an early advantage and never let up.
Almaguer walked Liz Perez and allowed a single to Alicia Jones to open the game, and then fell victim to two outfield errors as West Valley took a quick 4-0 lead.
The Vikings sent 11 batters to the plate in the third, scoring six more runs with a passed ball, a wild pitch and three more errors by the Rams aiding the visitors’ cause.
Meanwhile, Gavilan’s hitters were kept in check by Vikings ace Katie Cotta. After allowing a leadoff walk to Almaguer, Cotta retired nine straight Rams to keep a no hitter alive heading into the fourth.
The crafty Cotta looked hittable to the Rams, but none of them could make solid contact – especially on the pitcher’s rise ball.
“Slower pitchers are harder for us,” said Gavilan shortstop Tiffany McIntosh, a former San Benito High player and assistant coach. “We have to know what she’s throwing; we have to adjust to what she’s throwing; we have to hit what she’s throwing.”
After Gavilan center fielder Sheryl Lomanto was struck by a Cotta pitch to start the bottom of the fourth, McIntosh finally broke through with a single that dropped into leftfield. With runners on first and second and no outs, the Rams had their best chance to score, but Cotta dispatched the next three batters on an infield flyout and two strikeouts.
Second baseman Elizabeth Valdez got the only other Gavilan hit of the afternoon, dropping in an infield single with two outs in the fifth.
Cotta ran her record to 16-0 on the season, striking out nine and walking one in the abbreviated five-inning contest.
Which brings up another goal the Rams have set for themselves – to play a complete seven-inning game.
Said Almaguer, another former ‘Baler: “That’s an everyday goal for us.”
In its nine Coast South Conference losses, Gavilan has yet to avoid the ‘mercy’ rule.
West Valley head coach Les Hearn acknowledged the disadvantages the inexperienced Rams have, but he believes that Dequin-Thompson’s leadership will pay dividends in the near future for the Gavilan program.
“She’s an outstanding coach. She’s working hard,” said Hearn. “There are some good players around here. She’s going to make local kids stay home.”
Dequin-Thompson emphasized that her first year at the helm has to be considered a rebuilding campaign.
“We’re setting the foundation here,” said the Rams coach. “We’re doing a good job with that, but we’ve just got to start putting the pieces together on the playing field.
“With us this year, I’m not focused on win / loss. It’s more playing well; playing good softball. [But] winning is always in the back of your mind.”
The Rams hope to continue their improvement – and gain their elusive first victory – as they travel to Santa Clara to play Mission College at 3pm.
Scott Campbell is the sports editor of the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him at (831) 637-5566 (x334) or at sc*******@fr***********.com.
