Ranked No.14 in California, Softball Prepares for Showdown with No. 15 Sacramento on Friday

After playing six games over three days at the Mt. San Jacinto Tournament last weekend, the Bulldogs play one contest this week on Friday, Feb. 20, at Cuesta College. The Bulldogs face Sacramento City College, the 15^th ranked team in the latest state poll, and eighth ranked team in the Northern California Regional.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 4-1-1 showing at the Mt. San Jacinto Tournament. Katie Chenault ended the weekend with 24 shutout innings and 45 strikeouts over the Bulldogs' final four games, all wins. She struck out 14 in a 3-0 win over Rio Hondo, fanned seven and threw a no-hitter in a five-inning 8-0 win over San Bernardino, whiffed 11 in another 8-0 five-inning win over Chaffey, and struck out 13 in a 2-0 win over the host team. Chenault leads the state with 89 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings. The Cal State Northridge recruit led the state last year with a program-record 370 strikeouts.

Sophomore second baseman Michaela Valencia clubbed two home runs during the weekend, while Righetti High School graduates Jessica Rothanzl, Judith Salazar and Teanna Silveira each slugged their first long balls of the season.

The Bulldogs are ranked in the California Community College Fast Pitch Coaches Association State Poll for the first time in recent memory. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 14 in the state. They also jumped three spots to seventh in the Southern California Regional rankings.