Posted: Jan 26, 2017

Season Preview: Softball Prepares to Open 2017 Season With Matchup Against Golden West

TORRANCE, Calif – Softball is starting off their 2017 season away on Friday, January 27^th against Golden West College. Last season the Warriors finished 15^th in CCCAA and 3^rd in the South Coast Conference, with a conference record of 15-6. This season, the Warriors are looking to be even better with a strong group of returners.

Head Coach Jessica Rapoza shared her excitement about this upcoming season, "I am really excited about this season. We have a lot of returners who are seen as strong leaders to the freshmen. We have 7 returning starts who have a lot of experience."

Sophomore Raelani Camez is an outfielder from Lakewood, Calif. who finished last season with a batting average of .496. Camez had 65 hits and four homeruns last season, finishing 8^th overall in the CCCAA for hits.

Sophomore Brigid Antonelli is a utility player, playing infield and catcher. Antonelli is from Redondo Beach, Calif. As catcher, she caught 11 runners stealing, in which she was ranked 3^rd in the conference. Antonelli finished the season with a batting average of .390.

Other returning starters include: Kammy Fisher from Redondo Beach, Calif. playing infield and outfield, Hayley Reed from Redondo Beach, Calif. playing 1^st base, outfield and pitcher, Taylor Richter from San Pedro, Calif. playing infield and outfield, Kassandra Hernandez from Carson, Calif. playing infield, Kattya Calderon from Long Beach, Calif. playing outfield, and Aleah Lacy, a switch hitter from Hawthorne, Calif.

Sophomore pitcher, Natalie Francis from Torrance, Calif. had 31 plate appearances last season. Francis had 17 wins and 36 strikeouts. Another ace pitcher, Brook Sarro from Torrance, Calif. faced a lot of innings last season and Coach Rapoza is anticipating the same for this season.

Rapoza stated that, "the team has put in good work prior to the start of the season. Now it is time for fun. It is fun to watch them. They are good at what they do."

The Golden West Rustlers finished last in the Orange Empire conference with a record of 1-20. The Warriors face the Rustlers tomorrow at Golden West at 1:00pm.