Galveston College softball splits conference home opener

Galveston College routed Lamar State College-Port Arthur 12-2 in the first game of its NJCAA Region 14 South Conference home opener on March 18 at the Lassie League Complex's Carter Field.

 

The Whitecaps weren't as fortunate in the night cap as GC dropped a 6-5 heartbreaker to the Seahawks to split the twin bill.

Ranked No. 13 in the nation in this week's NJCAA DI Rankings, the Whitecaps (25-5 overall, 1-1 in conference) are tied for second in the South Conference. GC opened the season with a 17-game winning streak and climbed as high as 11th in the rankings.

 

"We controlled the first game and played well offensively and defensively," said Whitecaps Head Softball Coach, Kelly Raines. "We dug ourselves into a hole early in the second game, but we battled back and made a game of it. It was a tough loss. We have some work to do, but conference play just started and the team will learn from this experience."

 

In the first game, freshman pitcher Jadyn Struxness (11-1) tossed a five-inning three hitter and struck out eight batters to notch her 11th win of the season.

 

The Whitecaps built a 7-2 lead after four innings and drove in five runs in the fifth frame to seal the victory, 12-2.

 

GC hit four home runs in the opening game, two by Whitecaps third baseman Andrea Tagovailoa, who also drove in four runs. GC shortstop Gabriella Zulkefar and second baseman Cassidy Bank contributed the other two roundtrippers.

 

In the night cap, LSCPA built a 4-1 second inning lead, but GC rallied with three runs in the bottom half of the second frame to knot the game 3-all.

 

In the fourth inning, the Seahawks took another short-lived one-run lead over the Whitecaps, 5-4. GC answered in its half of the inning to tie the game, 5-5.

 

Two innings later, LSCPA reclaimed the lead with a lone score in the top of the sixth. The Seahawks held the Whitecaps scoreless after the fourth inning to win the game, 6-5.

 

GC freshman pitcher Kalion Fuentes took the loss for the Whitecaps and fell to 3-2 on the season. Fuentes, who took over for starting pitcher Daphne Utajara, pitched 4.1 innings of middle relief and gave up two runs on seven hits, and struck out five opposing batters. Utajara lasted only 1.2 innings in her 13th appearance of the season. She allowed four runs on five hits and struck out two opponents.

 

Galveston College faced Louisiana State University-Eunice on March 20 and will travel to Blinn College on March 25. The Whitecaps return home on March 28 for a doubleheader against Alvin College at 1 and 3:30 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.