Softball Holds First Practice in Newly Renovated Stadium

The wait is over for the Allan Hancock College softball team. In the middle of a conference title race, on Monday, the Bulldogs practiced on their newly renovated home field for the first time this season.

"I love it. It'll be nice to have a true home field to come to every day on campus," said fifth-year head coach Scia Maumausolo.

The softball field, which is located adjacent to the baseball field on the Santa Maria campus, features new dugouts, backstop, fencing, as well as new pavement for bleachers behind home plate.

"We have our home back," added sophomore outfielder Tawny Nunes. "The old dugouts were half-built with metal rods sticking out. There was a huge hole in the middle of the dugout floor. This new stadium is amazing."

Since January 2014, the team had been practicing and playing home games at the Hagerman Sports Complex across town, while the renovation was completed. The Bulldogs went 8-3 at their home away from home.

"The key word this season has been flexibility. I've been telling the team no matter where we play the distance between the bases does not change," recalled Maumausolo.

Hancock administrators said it was a team effort to renovate the field of dreams. "It really is true that together everyone achieves more," said athletic director Kim Ensing. "The city was tremendous in allowing us to use Hagerman during our time of need and giving us priority. The Hancock Board of Trustees and administrators identified the funding to make this happen."

The renovations were funded by Bond Measure I, which the community passed in 2006. The Hancock College Boosters also provided money to purchase a new scoreboard and batting cages for the complex.

Players say the homecoming only helps their efforts down the stretch. "I feel like this new field is a motivation builder that will give us even more energy down the stretch," said Nunes. "Not only are we the first Hancock team to play on the new field, but we also want to be the first team to win a title on it."

Hancock is in contention for the program's first conference title since 1998. The Bulldogs started the week tied with Cuesta for first place in the Western State Conference with three weeks remaining in the regular season. The Bulldogs play three road games this week and will not play on their home field until Thursday, April 17, in a showdown with the Cuesta Cougars.