Rams rebuild after loss of 8 players from last season

February 10, 2009February 25, 2020 The Guardsman

Freshmen pitcher Luisa Sausedo winds up for a pitch during practice. Sausedo who starts the season as the number one pitcher, looks to help her young team compete for a league title. SOPHIA HERNANDEZ / THE GUARDSMAN

By Sophia Hernandez
PHOTO EDITOR

For the past two years, City College’s softball team has been in the running for the program’s first ever playoff spot. Last season, the Rams were two games shy of the post-season.

Eight players have left since the last season, hence the team is suffering from inexperience. Luisa Sausedo, who is coming straight out of the International Studies Academy without having any experience playing on a college diamond, is one among the few inexperienced players.

“They’re inexperienced and young,” Head Coach Frank Sinkovich said.

Due to the loss of experienced players, Sinkovoch, in his fifth season as coach, had to recruit whoever was interested in playing, which was just enough to make the roster. He has only 11 players, leaving just two players on the bench.

“Injury risks are vital,” Sinkovich said.

Unfortunately, the team has already encountered a few physical ailments. Team captain, sophomore Mindy Chan, injured her back and will have to sit out the first couple of games.. Returning sophomore Mary Ngo will also be watching from the sidelines due to her bad knees.

“We have to play anyway,” freshman Samia Zuber said. “We can’t worry about the injuries.”

With such a short roster, the pressure is on for the newer players, many of whom will be forced to play right away. With the guidance of returning sophomores, the team has started to mesh really well in practice, according to Sinkovich..

“The returning players keep the new players focused,” Zuber said. “We have high expectations.”

This past June, Erika Viola, Meghan McGuire, and Mindy Chan traveled to England with Sinkovich’s summer league team and were undefeated. They scored their biggest win against a team of French national players.

“If I could, I would go back,” McGuire said. “It was an amazing experience.”

The drive and desire to represent City College’s softball team this season has created a strong bond between the team members.

“We even get together for dinner,” Sinkovich said. “They’re all good kids.”

Chan is optimistic about the season. “We are the ones to watch because we are the underdogs,” she said.

The season kicks off with the first game on Jan. 30, which is hosted by Gavilan College. The time for this game has yet to be announced.