Whitecaps softball rallies to sweep Roadrunners

Galveston College rallied to sweep Angelina College on Wednesday, 8-6 and 9-6, in an exciting doubleheader at the Lassie League Complex's Carter Field.

 

The sweep got the Whitecaps back on the winning track and improved their overall record to 28-10. The back-to-back wins evened GC's conference record to 4-4 and are in third place, trailing only Alvin College (8-2 in conference) and San Jacinto College-South (6-2).

 

"Angelina College tested us and I'm proud of our team for coming through in each game," said Whitecaps Head Softball Coach, Kelly Raines. "They closed in on us a few times, but we rallied and came out with the sweep. Our conference has a lot of talent and there are no easy games."

 

GC held off a late rally by AC in the first game and pulled off a rally of their own in the nightcap to sweep the Roadrunners.

In the opening game, the Whitecaps built an 8-1 lead in the first five innings, but AC scored five runs in the last two frames before GC shut the door and held on for an 8-6 victory.

 

Whitecaps freshman pitcher Jadyn Struxness tossed a complete seven-inning game for the win and improved to 13-3. She allowed six runs on 11 hits while striking out nine AC batters in the process.

 

Offensively, freshman first baseman Cassidy Bank went 2-for-4 with a homerun, two runs scored and four RBIs.

 

In the closer, GC allowed a three-run lead to get away from them when AC rallied to tie the game at 6-all in the sixth inning. The Whitecaps answered with their own rally in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs to take a 9-6 lead, and they shut down the Roadrunners offense in the last inning to claim the sweep.

 

GC sophomore second baseman Alayna Davis went 2-for-4, hit a homer, scored and drove in five runs to lead the Whitecaps' offense.

 

Starting GC freshman pitcher Daphne Utajara threw five innings and allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out five opposing batters. Fellow freshman hurler Kalion Fuentes came on in middle relief and pitched one inning, giving up three runs on three hits. Struxness came back to close out the final frame. Fuentes got the win and improved to 4-2 while Struxness was credited with her first save.

 

The Whitecaps will be back in action April 8 when they visit Coastal Bend College for a twinbill at 1 and 3:30 p.m. GC will be on the road for much of April and won't play at home until April 25 when they host Blinn 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.