Softball off to a rocky start

The women's softball team left California en route to the Great Western Shootout tournament in Yuma, Arizona on a losing note, falling to Pasadena 10-3 at their home field on Wednesday, Feb. 2.

The Rustlers were only able to bat in three runs, despite getting on base 13 times against Pasadena pitchers. After taking a two-run lead and controlling the Pasadena offense early on, Golden West starting pitcher, Amanda Webster, allowed three runs in the top of the fourth inning to give Pasadena the lead.

With a one-run deficit, head coach Suzy Brazney opted to replace Webster with freshman relief pitcher, Cristina Jacobo. While the move initially paid dividends for the Rustlers and allowed them to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, seven runs allowed by Jacobo in the top of the sixth inning turned out to be the deciding factor in the game.

After the game, Brazney said that had it not been for a doubleheader, Webster may have been able to pitch longer for the Rustlers.

"Webster is just coming off a leg injury so she'll probably throw more of the games during the season with Christina [Jacobo] as the relief, but we don't want to overtax her since it's early in the season. [Webster] probably would've gone another inning or so, but she did throw five innings in the first game also."

Golden West was able to establish some rhythm offensively with seven of the nine starters recording hits in the game, including doubles from Webster and Kelsey Krueger and a triple from Lauren Astengo.

With the season still young and plenty of softball still ahead of them Brazney is looking to see continued improvement from her squad, "Today was a learning experience and we hope that every day we get a little better." Adding, "We have the potential for a very good team."

Golden West will see their next action when they open up league play on the road against Santiago Canyon on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. They will follow that with a second league match against Fullerton at home on Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.