Softball Returns Home for Two Non-Conference Games

After playing four games in two days at Mt. San Jacinto College last weekend, the Hancock softball team returns home to host two games. Hancock enters the week 5-3-1 overall. The Bulldogs will host L.A. Valley (2-4) on Friday, February 19 at 2 p.m. Hancock will also host Riverside City College at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 20.

Hancock went 2-1-1 over its two-day stay at Mt. San Jacinto College. Hancock's first game ended in a 3-3 tie with Desert. The Bulldogs forced a tie with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Shortstop Larrissa Ostrander led the Bulldogs with three hits and sophomore catcher Monique Hoobery (Pioneer Valley HS) added two. Shannon Peterson allowed seven hits and two earned runs with eight strikeouts in a complete game.

During Hancock's 14-2 five-inning win against Victor Valley on Friday, Judith Salazar (Righetti HS) went three for three with three runs scored and 5 RBI. Freshman second baseman Maggie Dasis (Righetti HS) scored three times and drove in two, while Hoobery drove in three more.

The Bulldogs returned to action Saturday with a 19-0 five-inning win over Napa before they lost 8-3 to Grossmont College.  Third baseman Ashley Ruiz (Nipomo HS), Hoobery and Trista Berryman (Lompoc HS) each knocked in one run against Grossmont. Against Napa, Emily Gantt (St. Joseph HS) clubbed two home runs and drove in four runs. Dasis went four for four with 2 RBI and two runs scored. Ostrander had two doubles and 3 RBI. Hoobery had two hits, including a triple, 2 RBI and scored four times. Micalah Herrigel (Lompoc HS) also drove in three runs. Becca Bramblage allowed two hits in four shutout innings to earn the win.

Nine games into the season, Ostrander leads the team with a .516 batting average and 13 stolen bases. Gantt is hitting .400 with three home runs and 13 RBI. Salazar has 12 RBI and a .455 batting average. Dasis is hiting .364 with nine runs scored and 10 stolen bases.