Nicole Bouchereau paced a powerful lineup and three pitchers combined to allow just one run over eleven innings as City College won both second-day games of the Fastpitch Classic on Sunday.
This was the sixth time in seven years Pershing Park has been home to the tournament. The Vaqueros (11-5, 22-9) lost both games on the first day of the invitational. They finished in third place at 2-2.
“We are having an awesome season, and it’s a shame only those associated with our program know about it,” said head coach Paula Congleton.
Everyone should take notice of Bouchereau, who batted .733 with three homers and seven RBI in the tournament. The freshman shortstop leads the league in doubles, and she added six more during the weekend event.
“I have to get a hit,” said Bouchereau. “Otherwise I get mad.”
Bouchereau, the cleanup hitter, also benefits from the presence of her roommate and teammate Kristen Geffken ahead of her in the lineup. Bouchereau seemingly never fails to bring in Geffken when the third hitter gets aboard.
On Sunday, Myka Wright’s grand slam helped back up a dominant performance by Maria Coder, who struck out 12 in a 12-1 victory over College of the Desert. Jessica Hurtado and Tessa Prophet combined to shut out LA Mission 16-0 in the second game. Coder and Hurtado are the staff’s co-aces, as they have combined for a 20-8 record. Each sports a sub-1.50 earned run average.
City College took some tough losses on the first day of the invitaitonal. On Saturday, they lost 5-4 to Santa Ana and 12-2 to eventual tournament winner Antelope Valley.
Though none of the games played this weekend were intraconference, the Vaqs are in good position to make the playoffs. They are currently in second place in the Western State Conference North Division, just a half-game behind Ventura.
Sunday’s Vaqueros looked very different from the team that played the day before. The bats were on fire, and the ball seemed to have eyes for the gaps. City College hit 15 doubles combined in Sunday’s games.
After the tough first day, Congleton emphasized the need to restore team confidence before the stretch run. She told her team to stay up and swing the bats hard.
Coach Congleton said great fan support is key. Sunday made a nice day to catch a ballgame, and Vaquero fans came by the dozen to cheer what may turn out to be CC’s most successful team this year.
“The progress we’re making is great,” Congleton said. “But we need to hang in there for the stretch run.”
Santa Barbara has four more league games this season. The next is Thursday against LA Pierce at Pershing Park. The final game of the season will be a showdown at Ventura that could determine the league championship.
