Strong Pitching Performances Propel Hawks to 3–1 Start on the Season

The Cosumnes River Hawks started the season in excellent fashion going 3-1 as they began play on Friday, January 23 in Monterey, CA. The Hawks beat Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) twice (18-0; 3-2) and split with Feather River College 2-0; 0-2).

CRC prevailed in a game one pitcher's duel versus Feather River College. Xochitl Atayde led the way giving up only 5 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks and recording 8 strikeouts to gain her first win on the season. Atayde and Nina Najafizadeh both led the team with 2 hits each. In the fourth inning, Najafizadeh singled up the middle to get the offense started. Ashley Garcia doubled to right field advancing Najafizadeh to third. Alexis Hoke knocked in Najafizadeh on a fielder's choice RBI to second base. In the fifth, Atayde helped her own cause by leading off with a single to centerfield. Charlize Fasula sacrifice bunted to advance Atayde to second base and then Emma Misasi hit a fielder's choice to shortstop moving Atayde to third base. With two outs and Najafizadeh at the plate again, a swinging bunt was enough to score Atayde. That was all the Atayde would need to beat the Golden Eagles.

In game two on Friday, the Hawks run-ruled MPC 18-0 in five innings. Kaylena Ogle pitched a perfect game in her first college outing. She recorded 3 strikeouts and allowed no runners. Emma Misasi led the way offensively when she belted a 3-run home run over the left field fence scoring both Atayde and Fasula. Misasi was 3-5 on the day with 3 runs and 4 RBI. She was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Atayde stayed hot going 4-4 with 3 runs and an RBI while Imani Black also went 4-4 with 1 run and 4 RBIs. Other solid performances came from Garcia (2-2, 1 run, 1 RBI), Ogle (2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI), and Mia Ballejos (2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI).

Saturday, the Hawks split games in rematches against both MPC and Feather River. Monterey gave the Hawks a run for their money in game one. The Hawks eked out a tight win 3-2 in game one versus MPC. Ogle earned her second win for the Hawks on the mound, this time giving up 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and recording 5 strikeouts in 5 innings. Atayde came in relief in the 6th inning allowing only 1 hit and striking out 5 in two innings to hold onto the win for the Hawks. Atayde led the way at the plate going 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run. Najafizadeh and Garcia were both 1-3 on the day each recording an RBI. Black also was 1-3 with a run scored while Faith Hahn led off with a triple in her first at bat of the day and scored a run.

In the last game of the weekend, the Hawks came up short against Feather River. Atayde gave up only 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 runs in a solid effort, but the Hawks couldn't manage a run even though they outhit Feather River 5 to 3. Atayde, Garcia, Black, Hoke and Najafizadeh all recorded a hit in the game.

The Hawks return to action this week at home when they face off against Merced College on Friday, January 30 and Lassen College on Saturday, January 31st.