Galveston College softball surges to 12-0 start, climbs to No. 13 in national rankings

The Galveston College softball team is riding the wave of a 12-game winning streak to start the season, earning them a No. 13 ranking in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division I softball rankings.

 

The Whitecaps opened the season with an overwhelming 23-3 victory over Howard College on Jan. 30 and have not let up since. During the first three weeks of the season, GC swept Howard College, Ranger College, Cisco College and Kilgore College en route to a perfect 12-0 record.

 

"The team has been playing great, fundamental softball," said Whitecaps Head Softball Coach, Kelly Raines. "They've really come together and we're proud of what they've accomplished so early in the season. Our players are hitting the ball well and our pitching and defense has been stellar. It's a long season and it's very early yet, but we like what we see."

 

Offensively, the Whitecaps have outscored opponents 145-21 and are averaging 12 runs per game. As a team, GC boasts a .433 batting average with 24 home runs. In the circle, the Whitecaps' pitching corps has limited opponents to 1.75 runs per game while tossing four shutouts.

 

Freshman right-handers Jadyn Struxness and Daphne Utajara have led the charge defensively. Struxness is 4-0 in seven appearances, allowing just four runs in 13 innings while striking out 37 batters for a 1.01 ERA. Utajara is 4-0 in four appearances, surrendering only five runs in 19 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 1.11 ERA.

 

At the plate, Whitecaps freshman Andrea Tagovailoa has smashed seven homers, scored 24 runs with 22 RBIs in 12 games while batting .543. Fellow freshman Gabriella Zulfekar has added four dingers, scored 20 runs and tallied 22 RBIs with a .459 average.

 

After a nine-day hiatus, the Whitecaps return to action Feb. 27-28 with a four-game homestand against Monroe University. Games on Feb. 27 are scheduled for 1 and 3:30 p.m., with the series concluding on Feb. 28 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. All GC home games are played at the Lassie League Complex's Carter Field, located at 2506 83rd St. in Galveston. Admission is free and open to the public.

 

For more information about the Galveston College Whitecaps softball program, including rosters and the full season schedule, visit https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index.