Softball season commences
By Luke Shimer, staff writer
The MCHS softball team is looking to outdo their 2021-2022 season where they finished with a record of 14-11, earning fourth place in the North Bay League Oak Division. With only two games played so far this season, and winning both of them, it looks like they will already smash this record and have an exceptional season.
In order to maintain success throughout the season improvements on the mental aspect of the game still need to be made to finish the season successfully. “I think that we need to improve our energy as we play as well as our communication as a team,” said junior Janelle Herfurth. Junior Hailey Gundy agreed, “If we keep our energy up, we will win games.” Herfurth also mentioned her own personal improvements that she wants to make during the season, to “improve my confidence in in-game situations.” If these developments are made, then the team will have a great chance to win the league and defeat tough opponents like Rancho Cotate High School and Windsor High School.
In the first game of the season the Pumas faced off against Tamalpais High School where it wasn’t even close with Carrillo defeating them 11-0. Senior Madison Cooper delivered a stellar performance, pitching a complete game shutout without allowing one hit. She continues to dominate on the mound as she did last year when she earned 11 wins to only five losses and pitched five complete games. The offensive side of the team was led by senior Olivia Rivera hitting a single, a double, and a triple and who is also following up from another amazing season where she almost led the whole team in every offensive stat batting .513, hitting nine home runs, and acquiring 36 RBIs to name a few. Not only did Rivera do well but, sophomore Rachely Yaya also hit a homerun to boost the team to the victory. This was an amazing way to start the season for the Pumas.
The second game of the season went similarly to the first with a 12-0 victory against Santa Rosa High School. Once again Madison Cooper had a phenomenal outing on the mound, throwing seven strikeouts and only giving up two hits. The batting was strong once again with three different players having multiple hits to put up runs on the scoreboard.
Only two games into the season the team has scored 23 runs and given up zero runs and only two hits. As they prepare for league play starting on March 9 against Montgomery High School, it sure looks like improvements have been made to have an exceptionally successful season this year.
Gundy said “I can’t wait to make memories and win games with the team.”