Defending Conference Champion Softball Team Starts 2016 Season at Home Friday and Saturday

The Allan Hancock College softball team opens the 2016 season with three home games this week. The Bulldogs play Taft College at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, before hosting a doubleheader against San Diego City College on Saturday, Jan. 30.

Taft's 2016 roster features all freshmen. The Cougars canceled their 2015 season for unknown reasons. San Diego is coming off a 9-28 season

The Bulldogs are led by seventh-year head coach Scia Maumausolo. Hancock returns All-Region outfielder Judith Salazar (Righetti HS), who hit .417 with four home runs and 50 RBI.  All-Conference honorable mention selections third baseman Ashley Ruiz (Nipomo HS) and catcher Monique Hoobery (Pioneer Valley HS) also return. Ruiz hit .266 with a .448 on-base percentage as a freshman. Hoobery hit .217 with 7 RBI.  Hoobery will be the team's starting catcher. Teanna Silveira (Righetti HS), an All-Region pick last season, will miss the 2016 season due to a preseason injury. 

The Bulldogs are coming off an historic 35-4-1 season that included their second straight Western State Conference title and appearance in the Super Regionals.