Softball continues their grand slam season
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COURTESY // @sonomaseawolves on Instagram
Three Seawolves reached a career milestone together.
COURTESY // @sonomaseawolves on Instagram
Teammates Martinez and Zoia-Buescher are having stellar season.
The Sonoma State Softball team has been on a tear in the CCAA from players reaching milestones to their recent success in the CCAA Tournament of Champions. Giana Hays, Anna Zoia-Buescher, and Courtney Jack all reached 100 career hits, while Jordyn Martinez and Buescher were named to the 2023 Tucci/NFCA DII Player of the Year watchlist.
Jack, a senior in early childhood studies and American multicultural education, is in her last season but is determined to end on a high note. In a sport where everything is built around failures, she wants to make sure she leaves everything on the field.
“It means a lot to see successes in a game that is built around failures. It is hard to acknowledge when getting a hit three out of ten times is seen as a success. But getting to 100 hits in my career is awesome knowing how hard it is in this game. I am still hunting for more knowing that this is only the middle of the season and my team and I have a lot more to accomplish. I hope to continue going up from here.”
Jack motivates her team through her successes and comradery and is always looking to get better. It is truly her team that keeps her motivated to “stay in shape” and go to the field and get her reps in.
Martinez is in her fifth year and is majoring in childhood development. As a catcher and a captain of the softball team, she believes in hard work, always going for more and having fun.
“I know how much work my teammates are putting in, and I want to be a good captain for them and lead by example.” After receiving the news regarding the watchlist Martinez was surprised and did not have this specific goal in mind, yet feels that awards and achievements make her want to become better.
“It’s a great honor. Honestly, I was not expecting it at all, it feels good to be recognized for all of my hard work. For me personally once I reach a milestone, it just makes me want to go even further. Never settle, always go for more,” Martinez said. Martinez is having a stellar year, averaging .416 at the plate with 37 hits, 24 RBI’s and a slugging percentage of .607.
During the Tournament of Champions this past weekend, Sonoma State went 3-2 leaving Turlock with an overall record of 25-6. Sonoma State first faced off against Western Oregon defeating them 9-1 totaling 11 hits as a team. Junior Rylee Nishimoto earned herself a hat trick on the day, going 3 for 3 with an RBI. Right-handed pitcher Nichole Sarra got her eighth win, only allowing one hit and one run.
The second game was a close battle against Western Washington but ultimately SSU came up short. Sonoma had trouble taking care of the softball, giving up five errors contributing to their 4-3 loss. The Seawolves rallied for day two and went on to defeat Northwest Nazarene University 7-0. Charlie Johnson recorded the victory as she pitched a complete game shutout only giving up five hits. She now brings her consecutive innings without an earned run streak to 46 innings. Martinez led the team offensively with three hits while senior Cassidy Romano had five RBIs with the help of a six-run lead grand slam.
In game three against Hawaii Hilo, Sonoma fell short and lost 5-0. The Vulcans scored one in the first, two in the third and two more in the fourth to run out their lead. To close out the TOC the Seawolves beat Hawaii, Pacific, 3-0, recording a 3-2 series win on the weekend. Johnson earns TOC All-Tournament Team honors after finishing with two wins in 23.2 innings pitched and an astounding 0.00 ERA.
