On Tuesday, April 2, the Moorpark College Raiders softball team would strive to maintain their flawless Western State Athletic Conference record against North division rivals Santa Monica City College.
The Raiders’ record through the first 14 games of the 2023-2024 season was a respectable 8-6. Since then, the team has rattled off 12 straight victories. Eight wins came in conference play, planting them atop their division and bringing their season record to 20-6.
As the final month of non-playoff softball begins, wins become more significant. A victory against the No. 8 ranked Corsairs would bolster Moorpark’s strong resume.
The starting pitcher for the home team would be freshman phenom Amanda Smith. The Oak Park High School alum has been stellar this year, pitching four shutouts, averaging more than five strikeouts per game, and posting an earned run average (ERA) of 1.93. Smith’s confidence and skill were displayed from the first inning, retiring the game’s first three Santa Monica batters.
Leadoff hitter Taytem Reyes was hit by a pitch before getting a chance to put the bat to the ball. Reyes took matters into her own hands, stealing second and third base on consecutive pitches. Sophomore Mallory Akhlaghi stepped up to the plate next and connected for a sacrifice fly, scoring Reyes to put Moorpark on the board first.
The top of the second would see more of the same from Smith on the mound. A pair of strikeouts and a groundout to second base retired the side, the Corsairs only reaching first base by the grace of a walk.
Batting fifth in the lineup, infielder Alexa Paradis looked to show off her remarkable pitch recognition and power. The sophomore out of Newbury Park did just that, hammering a ball through the middle of the infield for a single. The crack of the ball off the bat was something that turned the heads of spectators. Paradis commented on what it has taken to develop that explosive power.
“A lot of work, on and off the field, in practice and out of practice, knowing your own body and doing what you need to do to get better,” Paradis said.
A Kylie Kolkowski sacrifice fly scored Paradis for Moorpark’s single score of the second inning, putting them back on defense up by two. After working to a full count, Santa Monica got a runner on base via walk with no outs. However, that did not prove to matter, as two groundouts and another strikeout ended the inning, leaving the visitors still hitless.
The bottom of the third was a near replica of the first. Leadoff hitter Reyes was walked and yet again managed to put herself on third base with a steal and a passed ball call. Once again, Akglaghi flew out to center for her second run batted in. The score was now 3-0.
In the fourth inning, Santa Monica finally came up with their first hit of the game. That single, though, would end up being their only hit of the game.
The bottom of the fourth was as a showcase for the Raiders offense. It started with a rocket of a double for Paradis’ second hit of the game. Standout catcher Maddy Mekari seemed inspired by her teammate as she stepped up and delivered a double of her own.
The hitting party continued with singles from Kolkowski, Ashlyn Olsen and Akhlaghi. A double from Mia Gregory and another from Paradis rounded out the seven-hit, six-run bottom of the inning.
With a score of 9-0, Moorpark needed just three more outs in the fifth to close the show due to the mercy rule in effect for college softball. Three batters came up and returned to the dugout courtesy of the Raiders defense. The scoreboard accurately reflected a dominant performance.
After the one-hit complete game shutout over a conference rival, the leader on the mound reflected on her performance.
“I feel like I could have improved a little bit more in hitting my spots and throwing less balls than I did,” Smith said, critiquing herself. “But I think I did pretty good for myself out there.”
Head coach Ashley Colon took a moment after the game to praise her squad’s cohesion and confidence as they head deeper into conference play.
“I feel like the confidence comes from each other. They know that we have one common goal, so when they come back to that common goal they’re like – we’re doing it for each other,” Colon said. “That’s where I feel like our confidence stems from, our why. It’s team before I, all the time. There are days where certain players may stand out over others but no player is above the team. It’s all for the front of the chest.”
Coach Colon and the Raiders softball team have put themselves in a great position, but their work is far from over. They face Oxnard at home on April 4, 2024, as they try to extend their streak to 13 and preserve their perfect conference record.
