COS Softball Rallies Past Fresno to Take Sole Possession of First Place
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | X | 6 | 9 | 1 |
VISALIA, Calif. – The College of the Sequoias softball team (24-6-1, 10-1 CVC) overcame an early deficit with a big middle-inning surge to defeat Fresno City College 6-2 on Thursday afternoon at the COS Softball Complex. With the win, the Giants move into sole possession of first place in the Central Valley Conference standings.
Fresno struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on a Sequoias error to score two unearned runs and take a 2-0 lead.
COS settled in and responded in the fourth inning. Alivea Salcedo (Tulare Western HS) reached and came around to score, followed by another run crossing the plate on a Fresno error to tie the game at 2-2. Moments later, Gabrielle Vasquez (Redwood HS) delivered the big hit of the inning, lining a two-RBI single to right field to bring home Emilee Santos (Corcoran HS) and Rashelle VerSteeg (Mt. Whitney HS) and give the Giants a 4-2 advantage.
The Giants added to their lead in the fifth when Yarelli Rocha (Arvin HS) scored on a sacrifice fly by Salcedo, extending the margin to 5-2.
COS manufactured another run in the sixth inning using aggressive baserunning. With runners moving, Miyah Reeves (Coalinga HS) stole third, Santos swiped second, and VerSteeg came home on the play to push the lead to 6-2.
In the circle, Audrina Rodriguez (Woodlake HS) was steady after the first inning, tossing a complete game while allowing just one earned run on six hits. She struck out five and worked around three walks to earn the win.
The Giants finished with nine hits, led by Vasquez's 3-for-4 performance with two RBIs. Rocha, Salcedo, and VerSteeg each scored a run as COS capitalized on Fresno's three errors to generate offense.
Notable Performances
Gabrielle Vasquez (Redwood HS): 3-for-4, 2 RBIs
Alivea Salcedo (Tulare Western HS): 1-for-1, RBI, R
Rashelle VerSteeg (Mt. Whitney HS): 1-for-3, 2 R
Emilee Santos (Corcoran HS): 1-for-3, R, SB
Audrina Rodriguez (Woodlake HS): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 5 K
Up Next
College of the Sequoias continues Central Valley Conference play as the Giants look to maintain their hold on first place. COS will not play until Tuesday, April 7 when they host Reedley College for a doubleheader at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
