Gilroy
– Fourteen wins may not be the sign of a terrific season for
most teams, but considering where the Gavilan softball program came
from, it was hard for the Rams to be disappointed.
Gilroy – Fourteen wins may not be the sign of a terrific season for most teams, but considering where the Gavilan softball program came from, it was hard for the Rams to be disappointed.
After a winless campaign last year, Gavilan (14-27 overall, 8-16 conference) wrapped up its season Tuesday with an 18-0 loss to San Jose City College. Yet, coach Nikki Dequin-Thompson had nothing but positive reflections about the season.
“I feel really good about the season,” Dequin-Thompson said. “We won a bunch of game and played and battled with lots of tough teams. A lot of learning went on.”
For a young team that had only four sophomores in the lineup and featured several players who hadn’t played in a couple of years, Gavilan finished strong with wins in five of its final eight games.
“We have a good foundation for next year,” Dequin-Thompson said. “I have no doubt that we’re going to improve.”
The biggest challenge for the program, Dequin-Thompson said, is to help change the culture surrounding the program to help entice some of the talented local players to come to Gavilan.
“Part of the challenge initially is getting them to come here,” she said. “People are starting to see that we have great academic programs here and they have great support here. And it helps having great facilities and a decent season.”
The facilities upgrade has been a work in progress that is nearly complete. Before Tuesday’s game, the yellow crowning on top of the fence was installed and a scoreboard will be put up over the offseason.
“Now it’s just about bringing the local talent in to see the facilities and meet the coaching to see what kind of support they’ll have here,” Dequin-Thompson said.
The season finale was never a close one. San Jose scored four runs in the first, taking advantage of a pair of walks and an error.
Gavilan’s Megan Smart led off the first with an infield single, but couldn’t be brought around and by the time the Rams got their next hit – a fourth-inning single by Melissa Gaxiola – the Jaguars had a 15-0 lead.
Amanda Rosevear had Gavilan’s lone extra-base hit when she doubled in the fourth, but the Rams were unable to advance a runner past second base during the game.
While Tuesday did not qualify as one of the high points, Dequin-Thompson noted that there were several proud moments throughout the season.
“I loved the way we started out the season,” she said of their season-opening win over City College of San Francisco. “We beat Hartnell and West Valley, teams that we haven’t beat in year.s. The girls just really stuck by each other and made it an enjoyable season.”
San Jose City 401 10 3 – 18 19 0
Gavilan 000 0 0 – 0 4 5
Sparks and Allemandi. McBain and Rosevear. WP – Sparks, LP – McBain.
