Hawks' 10 Sophomores Bolster Softball Team
May 02, 2024 03:24PM ● By Ryan Lorenz
Cosumnes River College sophomore pitcher Tatiana Blas allowed six hits and a run in the Hawks' final game of the regular season. The team will face Monterey Peninsula at home at 2 p.m. Friday for their first game of their playoff series. Photo by Ryan Lorenz
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Sophomores for Cosumnes River College's softball team might have stepped on their home field for the last time as they defeated Santa Rosa 8-1 on April 23.
The Hawks' 10 sophomores helped bolster the team to a 10-game winning streak, 33-7 overall record and 20-4 conference record.
"We had a great team this season and the nice thing is we were able to play all of our sophomores today," Cosumnes River College softball head coach Kristy Schroeder said.
Sophomore shortstop Malia Babasa had the first run of the game after freshman infielder Brooke Hanson hit a single in the bottom of the first.
"I feed off everybody's energy," Babasa said. "I love the team, I love the whole chemistry, especially going into playoffs with this type of energy is good."
Energy is what Babasa is known for on the Hawks. She makes big plays and is the heartbeat of the team offensively.
"She leads her team in almost every offensive category," Schroeder said. "When she gets on early, it takes the pressure off of our pitchers, takes the pressure off our defense."
Babasa ended her regular season career with 32 runs, 20 RBIs, a batting average of .427 and 24 stolen bases.
Sophomore outfielder and pitcher Anjalina Dahdouh showed up for the home crowd with two runs.
Dahdouh hit her first double of the season in the bottom of the second and got sophomore outfielder Sarah Babby home. Babasa returned the favor by hitting a single that got Dahdouh home.
In the bottom of the fifth, Dahdouh was walked and then stole second. Sophomore outfielder Jenifer Bowen hit one down the middle and Dahdouh showed her dual athleticism as a Hawks soccer team member.
"I just ran as fast as I could, to be honest," Dahdouh said. "I just put my head down and just run. That's what I'm good for. I play soccer, too, so I'm pretty fast."
Sophomore pitcher Tatiana Blas showed why she leads the California Community College Athletic Association in strikeouts in her final game of the regular season with the Hawks by allowing one run.
"I really liked that there was a really packed house," Blas said. "It made it more fun, a lot more energy. I didn't feel as much pressure, actually. It was a nice break to have a lot of people with me."
Blas allowed six hits and a run. Santa Rosa's run came in the top of the fourth from sophomore infielder Nataya Brown hitting a line drive deep right and sending home teammate sophomore outfielder Mallory O'Keefe.
"I try to face every game like it's really good competition," Blas said. "I try to make sure that I'm in a good mindset and that our team is kind of going through it together."
The score was 3-1 but Blas finished the fourth, pitched a perfect inning in the fifth and allowed three hits for the rest of the game.
"When you get that many automatic outs and the defense doesn't have to play ball, it really takes a lot of pressure off the team," Schroeder said. "We are going to miss her ability to strike people out."
The starting pitcher ended the regular season with 11 shutouts, 204 strikeouts and allowed a batting average of .178 in 24 games.
The Hawks hope to continue their run at 2 p.m. Friday as they start their playoff series against Monterey Peninsula at home.
"We're supportive, selfless and competitive, so hopefully that will take us far in the playoffs," Schroeder said.
