Softball Falters in Moraga
Women’s softball opened conference play this past weekend in Moraga, where they faced a red-hot Saint Mary’s (SMC) team in a three-game series. SMC entered Friday's match on a seven-game win streak, having knocked off Montana, Colorado State, and Northern Colorado in the process. Pacific had a challenging start to the season, but took some momentum into conference play after winning all three in a series at Montana.
Pacific started the match strong, catching SMC off guard with a Kaylah Adams pop-up in the first inning, bringing center-fielder Zaedi Tagalog home after a Saint Mary’s error. However, the innings that followed would be ones to forget, as the Gaels slowly pulled away from the Tigers, crossing home plate nine times before the game was called early by run-rule in the sixth inning.
Pacific would come back strong in the second match in Moraga, putting the previous game behind them. After allowing three runs in the second inning, the Tigers would rifle back in the third off the bat of senior Allie Capello, whose rocket past left field brought her and two others home to tie the game. Pacific was not done there, however. They worked senior Asia Lee around the bases, eventually bringing her home with a Jayleen Scott single. Despite the heroic comeback, it was not the Tigers’ day, as the Gaels put one run on the board in each of the next three innings to end the game 4-6.
Sunday’s series finale was a low-scoring contest. It would not be until the fourth inning that either team scored, and unfortunately for Pacific faithful, it was SMC that got on the board first. The Tigers responded quickly, batting Tagalog home the very next inning to bring the game even at one. Again, however, the Gaels would escape with the win after an error in the bottom of the 7th brought a run home.
Pacific will look to rebound in the coming weeks against 5th-ranked Oregon State and 3rd-ranked Santa Clara. The season has just begun, but the team will need to turn their momentum around to remain competitive for postseason play.