Moorpark College Raiders took on the Antelope Valley Marauders in a Saturday, March 23, softball double-header in which they defeated Antelope Valley 4-0 in the first game but fell 7-2 in the second.

In the first of the two games, the Raiders played a sound defensive game, allowing no runs in seven innings and got a shutout pitching performance by Sophmore Pitcher Danette Amar. The first 2 innings were scoreless for the Raiders but in the third, they found their offensive rhythm and struck for 3 runs and again in the fourth for another run.

Head Coach Dave Fox said he loved the team’s effort and cohesiveness in the first outing.

“The first game was a great game,” said Fox. “We did almost everything right. We pitched well, we played great defense and hit well. There was just a lot of great teamwork and support from players.”

In the second outing, after two scoreless innings, it was the Antelope Valley Marauders that were able to find their offensive grove with a six run third inning. Sophomore infielder and pitcher Marti Lewis got the Raiders on the board with a home run in the following inning. Lewis also struck out four batters when she pitched from the halfway point of the third inning to the sixth. Sophomore pitcher Karlie Barbato, who started the game on the mound for the Raiders, and Danette Amar, would close out the game in the sixth and seventh innings. After one final score from Antelope Valley late in the game, the Raiders were able to get some offense going late, scoring a second run but ultimately fell short and the Mauraders would take it by the final score of 7-2.

Head Coach Dave Fox gave some encouragement and advice to his team after the tough third inning.

“We just tell them to let it go and peck away,” said Fox “We shut them down after that and scored a couple of runs.”

On a day in which Lewis and her teammates worked so hard to organize and put on the “Saving Second Base” fundraiser, which took place at the game, she was also a key component in the Raiders offense. Lewis was enthused about her performance and the overall effort and performance of the team.

“It always feels good,” said Lewis “It always feels good to have a good offensive, defensive and all around good game. Even though we lost the second game, it still feels good to play as a team and to play together and we didn’t give up.”

The Raiders have won two of their last three games and look to keep their momentum going against Santa Barbara City College on Tuesday, March 26. The game will be at Santa Barbara City College.