After a year’s absence, softball program is back

DONALD HAMILTON / THE GUARDSMAN Preparing for the start of the season, freshman shortstop Ray Walsworth warms up during practice in Pacifi ca, Calif. The Rams next game will be a Feb. 12 double header in Mendocino.

By Ryan Kuhn
The Guardsman

After a year-long absence, softball has returned to the diamond at City College with a new coach, new players and a new identity.

Sophomores Megan McGuire and Luisa Sausedo, who played for City College two years ago, were excited to put their gloves back on as part of the women’s softball team. A lack of players and new head coach Jack McGuire’s serious leg injury forced the Rams to forgo last year’s softball season.

McGuire is returning as head coach of the team this year and is looking to turn the Rams around from a dismal 4-25-5 record in 2009.

The new coach, who also coaches the football team, is excited to get out on the field and implement his 30 years of softball experience.

“We are working on fundamentals right now and looking forward to getting better every day,” he said. “I just want them to enjoy themselves.”

McGuire will not be handling the team alone. He is joined by Jack Wolf, who has coached City College softball in the past and volunteer coach Rex Murphy. McGuire’s two daughters, Megan and Shawn McGuire are also on the team and will be patrolling the outfield.

Megan McGuire, who led the Rams in batting two years ago and was second team all conference, looks to step up as a leader in 2011.

“This year is definitely different,” she said. “I feel like the coach before wanted to get out. This is a new team, new chemistry and new coaches so I think the positivity is a new aspect here.”
Pitching and defense have been City College’s concentration throughout their early season practices. Their pitching staff is led by Sausedo, who pitched for the Rams in 2009.

“Pitching is very important in any league that you play in for softball, especially fast pitch,” Sausedo said. “Some of the new things we have been learning are completely breaking down our pitches and tweaking them to be better and more fluid pitches to make more strikes.”
The Rams pitcher ended her freshman season with a record of 4-20, a 7.44 ERA and 49 strikeouts.

Their first home game will be against Chabot College on Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.
Megan McGuire identified two big factors necessary to earn her team its first winning season since 2011.

“I feel that some of us have a great chemistry. A lot of it is the veterans and we need to express it to the new players,” McGuire said. “It’s also about experience so hopefully the new kids pick it up pretty quick because that’s probably going to be our biggest weakness.”
All home games will be played at Fairmont Field in Pacifica, Calif.